Child Welfare Enhanced Opportunities
Two unique opportunities exist for MSW students interested in child welfare. The Erie County Child Welfare Leadership Partners project provides a stipend for students committed to leadership in child welfare and willing to work in Erie County DSS after graduation. The Child Welfare Leaders Initiative is a certificate program for students interested in gaining skills in many components of child welfare.
Erie County Child Welfare Leadership Partners (ECCWL-Partners)
Overview of the Initiative
The UB School of Social Work is partnering with Erie County Department of Social Services (DSS) to build leadership capacity in child welfare, and we were awarded a grant through the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (NCWWI). As part of the project, we will be supporting four cohorts of students over the next four years, beginning in the Fall of 2019. ECCWL-Partners includes a broad focus on leadership development in child welfare. Combining coursework, child welfare field placement, field seminars, and special projects, participants will gain exposure to a wide range of topics and have opportunities to network and develop leadership skills within the field. The NCWWI student stipends will cover all UB SSW tuition costs and student fees. For each year of funding received, students will be committed to working a year in Erie County child welfare (including CPS, Preventive, Children’s Services, or Adoption) post-graduation.
Enhanced Educational Opportunities
- Two monthly seminars (1.5 hours each).
- Advising by faculty experienced in child welfare practice.
Leadership Development Activities
- Students and field educators will take part in the NCCWI Action Teams as part of the organizational change efforts at Erie County.
- Develop personalized leadership development plans.
- Mentoring with child welfare leader to support leadership plan.
Professional Development Opportunities
- Cohort experience - connect with other students interested in child welfare.
- Opportunities to network with current child welfare practitioners and leaders.
- Support in transition to the workforce – including taking and passing civil service exams for child welfare positions and post-graduate seminars.
Admitted students will be required to complete the following:
- Sign written agreement to work in Erie County DSS in child welfare upon graduation (commitment is one year of work for each year of stipend received).
- A field placement in Erie County child welfare setting.
- Complete a core set of child welfare courses, including:
- Social Services for Children, Youth, and Families.
- Assessment & Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect.
- Advanced Interventions – students would choose one of the following:
- Interventions with Children and Adolescents.
- Interventions with Families.
- Interventions with Organizations & Systems: Developing Trauma-Informed Organizations and Systems of Care.
- Students would take one of the following electives:
- Motivational Interviewing.
- Solution Focused Practice.
- Addiction and the Family.
- Supervision in Child and Family Service Setting (to be developed).
Child Welfare Leaders Initiative
For students interested in child welfare leadership, but not able to participate in the ECCWL-Partners initiative, the Child Welfare Leaders Initiative (CWLI) is a unique opportunity.
Combining a field placement in child welfare with seminars focused on relevant topics pertaining to child welfare, participants will gain exposure to a wide range of topics and have opportunities to network and develop leadership skills within the field. The Initiative includes:
- A field placement in a child welfare setting (prerequisite).
- One monthly seminar (1.5 hours).
- Exposure to pertinent topics in child welfare.
- Cohort experience - connect with students also interested in child welfare.
- Opportunities to network with current child welfare practitioners and leaders.
Core Components of the Project
- Enhanced Educational Opportunities.
- Professional Development Opportunities.
- Earn a certificate in Child Welfare Leadership upon completion of the seminars.
Seminar topics may include:
- Applying core concepts of trauma to child welfare practice.
- Leadership development opportunities.
- Role of supervision in child welfare practice.
- Innovative approaches in child welfare.
- Addressing racial disproportionality.