If you are interested in working with children and families in the child welfare system, there is opportunity for you to get the experience you need, along with possible financial benefits your last year in the BSW program. The state of Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) recognizes the critical need to recruit and retain well trained, committed social workers to join their team to work with at-risk families and serve children who have been abused or neglected.
DCS has contracted with several universities across the state to enhance the recruitment and retention of social worker students to join their team of qualified employees for DCS. The program offers students the opportunity to attend their senior year of the BSW program tuition free (limited to the in-state rate). Students will have access to in-depth course content about child abuse and neglect and child welfare practices, while completing their internship working with children and families. All of this is provided while having the support of DCS staff and other professionals. At the successful completion of their internship and earning their BSW degree, DCS offers students employment with a competitive salary within two months of graduation.
Students selected to participate in the BSW Child Welfare Scholars Program can choose to receive full in-state tuition and mandatory fees for two semesters of their senior year in the BSW program. Students must maintain a 12-credit hour minimum enrollment with a 2.5 overall GPA and a 3.0 GPA in their social work classes.
Each student can choose to accept a stipend ($2,000 a semester) to assist with the cost of training expenses during the program, for a maximum of two semesters
Program participants will have a commitment to work for the agency for a pre-determined number of months post-graduation.
| Program Details | Full Scholarship (tuition and stipend) |
Partial Scholarship (stipend only) |
Affiliate (no financial support) |
| Educational Expenses Provided | 2 semesters tuition and fees | None | None |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job Training Expenses Provided | 2 semesters training stipend | 2 semesters training stipend | None |
| Specialized Coursework | 2 specialized child welfare classes (1 junior year, 1 senior) | 2 specialized child welfare classes (1 junior year, 1 senior) | 2 specialized child welfare classes (1 junior year, 1 senior) |
| Additional Training Required | 6 days of job training pre-graduation | 6 days of job training pre-graduation | 6 days of job training pre-graduation |
| Practicum | Senior practicum at local DCS office | Senior practicum at local DCS office | Senior practicum at local DCS office |
| Post-Graduation Commitment | 24-month work commitment | 12-month work commitment | No work commitment |
| When to Consider | When you need as much financial support as you are eligible for | When other funding is available for tuition and fees, but stipend needed to cover additional training expenses | When you are not able to sign a contract, often due to geographic limits on where you can accept a job |
Applicants are required to submit an application. Minimum requirements for admission include:
Applicants will be evaluated on:
Students who are interested in participating in the DCS Child Welfare Scholars Program should complete this interest form. You will be contacted by Professor Dillingham following your interest form submission, where you will be provided with the application packet. Interviews will be scheduled in November, with a preliminary decision on acceptance by the end of the fall semester. There is a mandatory class that must be taken in the junior year (Spring semester). There is a second mandatory course offered in the fall of the senior year. Internship placements for all participants will be in local Department of Child Services offices.
For more information, please contact: