Do you have a passion for work that promotes the well-being of children and families? Consider the Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellowship Program at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work.
Primary Elements of the Program
Financial Support
Students are eligible to receive $11,500 per semester in the fall and spring semesters for a total of $23,000 per academic year. Full program students (53-credit) are eligible to receive the stipend for up to four semesters. Advanced standing students (34-credit) are eligible to receive the stipend for up to three semesters.
Educational/Programmatic Expectations and Requirements
Specific Title IV-E programmatic requirements provide students with enhanced and exceptional opportunities to prepare them for practice in child welfare settings. Any student who receives Title IV-E funding at any point in their MSW program is considered a “Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellow” and is therefore obligated to complete all programmatic requirements each year they are a student.
The primary obligations for student fellows include:
- Completion of specific MSW courses focused on child welfare knowledge and skills. Fellows are not required to complete additional credits in order to earn the MSW degree but are more limited in their number of general elective credits.
- Completion of at least one practicum in a public or Tribal child welfare position (e.g. child protection intake, child protection ongoing, foster care licensing). Exemptions may be made for students who have three or more years of employment in child welfare services.
- Completion of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). The IDI and its application will be discussed and utilized throughout the program.
- Attendance of day-long experiential learning events in specific cultural communities.
- Attendance of two IV-E Forum meetings per semester to discuss relevant child welfare topics among fellows and staff.
- Completion of some of the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy’s New Worker Training.
- An optional mentoring experience beginning one semester before graduation and ending 5-6 months after graduation.
- Specialized Title IV-E Child Welfare academic advising with CASCW faculty every semester.
*Specialized internship opportunity: CASCW collaborates with Ramsey County Children and Family Services to provide unique internships for a number of Title IV-E MSW Fellows, particularly IV-E Fellows who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). Selected Title IV-E Fellows comprise a specialized group of interns who participate in individual supervision & group seminars centered on child welfare practice, racial justice, and authentic professional development. By equipping these Ramsey County Title IV-E Fellows with the wisdom and tools needed to navigate a career in child welfare courageously and safely, this program provides support and mentoring for interns who will become new professionals in a field struggling with significant racial disparities.
Post-Graduation Requirements
The Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellowship is not financial aid but instead designed to strengthen and support the child welfare workforce. All graduates, upon completion of the MSW and Title IV-E Fellowship programs, are obligated to search for, accept and remain employed in a public or Tribal child welfare position.
The length of employment obligation is equal to the amount of time graduates were supported as students. One semester of educational funding is equivalent to 4.5 months of employment obligation. If a student receives the IV-E stipend for three semesters, they are obligated to an employment obligation of 13.5 months. If a student receives the stipend for four semesters they are obligated to an employment payback of 18 months.
All graduates stay in contact with CASCW staff while completing their obligation. CASCW supports graduates throughout their employment search and employment obligation, as well as throughout their career as alumni.
Career Development and Support
CASCW remains in contact with alumni as a means of providing continuing education and career supports. CASCW provides a number of opportunities for Title IV-E graduates to obtain additional training, practice resources, and support for wellbeing and sustainability.
In addition, CASCW regularly sends out email announcements regarding new research and publications, public policy updates, and child welfare employment opportunities.
See our Alumni page for more information.
About Title IV-E
What is Title IV-E?
Federal Social Security Title IV-E funds subsidize child welfare services for children in out-of-home placement or at high risk of out-of-home placement, provide permanency planning services, and place children in out-of-home care when deemed necessary. Public child welfare services are those provided by state or county child protection, foster care and adoption services. Title IV-E funds may also be used to support educational and training efforts for the current and future child welfare workforce, including:
- direct financial assistance (stipends) to undergraduate and graduate students
- curriculum development
- practicum instruction
How can I find out exactly what a public child welfare social worker does?
If you’re interested in learning more about the role of the child welfare social worker, you may want to view the Realistic Job Preview of Child Protection Work in Minnesota. This realistic job preview was developed by The Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Minnesota Association for County Social Services Administrators (MACSSA).