Child Welfare Stipend Program

Group
The School of Social Work would like to congratulate the recipients of the 2022-23 Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend Program.

About

The Child Welfare Stipend Program (CWSP) is a partnership between the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) and four public universities in Virginia, George Mason, Norfolk State, Radford, and Virginia Commonwealth Universities, offering accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs. The CWSP is supported by federal funding through title IV-E of the Social Security Act plus a state match provided by VDSS. The CWSP is based on a framework that incorporates state and national standards for child welfare practice. CWSP students receive financial support, opportunities to complete VDSS training, specialized coursework and topical seminars, and gain local department of social services (LDSS) field experience in return for a legally binding commitment to work in foster care, adoption or in-home services in a LDSS in Virginia following graduation.

 

Program Requirements

  • Eligible students must be enrolled in a full-time BSW or MSW program at one of the four participating universities. 
  • Stipend Recipients must successfully complete two Child Welfare courses (Child Welfare Policy elective and a Child Welfare practice elective).
  • MSW Stipend Recipients must complete one field practicum in a child serving setting, and one field practicum at a Local Department of Social Services (primarily in a foster care/adoption/in home role).
  • BSW Stipend Recipients and MSW Advnaced Standing Stipend Recipients must complete one field practicum at a Local Department of Social Services (primarily in a foster care/adoption/in home role). 
  • Stipend Recipients must complete additional CWSP seminars/training as indicated by their University Coordinator. This includes the VDSS New Worker Policy Training, and other topics such as trauma informed care, regional trends in substance abuse, interpersonal violence, etc. 

Acceptance

Students accepted into this program receive a $10,000 stipend per academic year. In exchange for the stipend and extensive child welfare training, the stipend recipient must commit to work at a Local Department of Social Services within the state of Virginia (one calendar year for each academic year that the stipend was received). This employment obligation must begin within three (3) months of graduation.

Application Process

To apply, review the Program Guidelines, complete the application and submit all documentation by the date indicated on the application.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Erica Thornton, MSW
Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend Program Coordinator
Waldron Hall 229
Radford, VA 24142
540-831-5349
ethornton@radford.edu

Virginia Department of Social Services Supplemental Information

VDSS is one of the largest Commonwealth agencies, partnering with 120 local departments of social services, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children and families statewide.