CHILD WELFARE EDUCATION AND SUPPORT PROGRAM

The primary objective of the Child Welfare Education and Support Program is to increase the number of child welfare practitioners with the Bachelor and Master of Social Work degrees in the child welfare system in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

VDSS has established a partnership with three state-supported universities to implement the Child
Welfare Education and Support Program. The three university partners are Norfolk State University, Radford
University and Virginia Commonwealth University. These universities provide stipends to graduate and undergraduate social work students who are employed or preparing for employment in public child welfare. Students who receive a child welfare stipend from one of the three universities are required to participate in a variety
of child welfare activities during their course of study. These may include seminars, workshops,
conferences, VISSTA courses, child welfare electives and field practica in a state or local department
of social services.

In exchange for the stipend and extensive child welfare training, students sign a legally binding agreement
to seek and secure employment in the State Department of Social Services or one of the local departments
of social services in Virginia. Their employment obligation begins upon completion of their educational
program and extends for a period equal to the period for which the stipend was awarded. If students fail to
seek employment and work for the state or local department of social services, the stipends are treated as
loans that must be repaid.

VDSS hopes through the Child Welfare Education and Support Program to produce BSW and MSW graduates who will
choose careers in public child welfare thus contributing to building a highly a competent workforce dedicated
to the safety, permanency and well being of children.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Riddick, Pamela E. Program Coordinator 757-823-2680
priddick@nsu.edu