California State University, Stanislaus

Master of Social Work

Child Welfare Training Project

Title IV-E Award Information Sheet

The Child Welfare Training Project, as part of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program, provides a graduate education, a competency based curriculum, and financial aid. The Child Welfare Training Project was created to increase the number of practitioners in public child welfare who hold the Masters in Social Work degree.

Students in the 2 year MSW program who qualify will receive an award of $37,000.00, spread over two years. Students in the three-year program who qualify and are current county or state human services or social services employees, will receive support in the form of reimbursement for all required program costs and qualifying transportation expenses. In both cases the student has specific contractual obligations after graduation that are discussed below.

Questions regarding the Child Welfare Training Project award program can be directed to:

Paul M. Sivak

Child Welfare Training Project Coordinator

209-667-3205

psivak@csustan.edu

2 YEAR MSW PROGRAM

Eligibility Students must be accepted to the California State University, Stanislaus MSW program prior to application to the Child Welfare Training Project. In addition, students must demonstrate a commitment to a career in public child welfare through a separate application process. The Award Successful applicants will receive $18,500 per year for a maximum of two years. Forgivable Loan & Student Responsibilities This award is considered a “forgivable loan” in that it becomes payable with interest upon graduation or withdrawal from the MSW program unless the student adheres to the contractual employment search and acquisition requirements. Awarded students agree to complete their educational requirements within the 2 years of the MSW Program. A student who is making satisfactory progress after the first year will receive a second year of support as long as funds are available. California State University, Stanislaus is committed to each of the six surrounding counties including: Calaveras, Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne. Field placements may be with child welfare service agencies in any of these counties and may require students to drive significant distances.

Payback If not currently on leave from a child welfare agency, the student must seek and accept appropriate employment within a 75 mile radius from their home in a county child welfare agency, and render one year of continuous and satisfactory full-time employment for each year of the award. If unable to secure employment in the 75 mile radius within six months, the student must seek employment, in a county child welfare agency, in the state of California. Students agree to fully repay the university for the awarded funds, interest and collection costs if the student: 1. Fails to satisfactorily complete academic and fieldwork requirements or withdraws from the MSW program. 2. Violates the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. 3. Is convicted of a crime involving harm to children, disqualifying the student from county employment. 4. Prior to the completion of the required employment period, the student voluntarily or involuntarily ends their employment and does not apply for or accept employment in another county child welfare service agency.

3 YEAR MSW AWARD PROGRAM

Only available to current human service department employees

Eligibility Students must be accepted to the California State University, Stanislaus MSW program prior to application to the Child Welfare Training Project. In addition, only students who are current employees of a county child welfare service, department of social services, or California Department of Social Services, may receive an award for the 3 year program. Reimbursement Applicants awarded support for the 3 year program will receive reimbursement for the actual cost of tuition and fees, books up to $650.00 per semester, and mileage. Student Responsibilities Students admitted to the program agree to complete their educational requirements within the 3 years specified by the MSW program. Agency Support Applicants must provide a letter of support from the agency director currently employing them indicating that the director: 1. Will retain her/him in their position and will seek, to the extent possible, to maintain benefits and seniority. 2. Regards the employee as capable of completing the academic program. 3. Will make every effort to accommodate work expectations to the employee’s class and fieldwork requirements. This would include limiting normal required work days to three days a week and a reduction of case work expectation to 3/5 of normal while the employee is assigned to a field placement for two days in another part of the agency.

4. Agrees to offer to the graduate a position at the MSW level in child welfare, if such a position exists and the graduate is otherwise appropriate. Payback Students agree to render one year of continuous and satisfactory full time employment, at a level appropriate to a new MSW, for each year of educational support (3 years). If such a position is not available in their present agency, the student must apply for and accept an equivalent or higher position in another public child welfare agency. Students agree to repay the university a prorated amount of the educational funds provided, including interest and collection costs if: 1. The student leaves their current employer before completion of the payback period. (The student may apply for permission to complete the payback period in another qualified agency.) 2. Fails to satisfactorily complete academic and fieldwork requirements. 3. Violates the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. 4. Is convicted of a crime involving harm to children, disqualifying the student from county employment.