Master’s of Social WorkUniversity Partnership Child Welfare Training
The University Partnership Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program (UPP) is Ohio’s commitment to improving outcomes for children and families by strengthening its child welfare workforce with UPP. It is a unique and beneficial partnership among the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), twelve of Ohio’s public university schools of social work, Ohio’s University Consortium for Child and Adult Services (OUCCAS), the Public Children’s Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO), and Ohio’s 85 Public Children’s Service Agencies (PCSAs).
“I spent one year as a UPP intern at Franklin County Children Services and could not have been better prepared. My UPP internship gave me the hands-on experience I needed to be a successful caseworker. I was able to shadow in all the different departments and gain a well-rounded view of everything we do to ensure child safety and strengthen families. I loved meeting with the other interns regularly to learn through one another’s experiences. I am now entering my sixth year of employment in the child welfare field and still draw upon what I learned every day!” – Carrie Miller, 2017-18 UPP student
Program Benefits
- $5,000 employment incentive for those who complete the program and successfully gain employment in Ohio public child welfare
- Specialized coursework and training in child welfare
- “Fast-tracking” to full-time employment in child welfare upon graduation
- Individualized attention and mentoring by UPP coordinator and field instructors
- Early exposure to and networking in the field of child welfare
Eligibility
You can participate if you are a BSSW, MSW-Advanced Standing, MSW I or MSW II student. The UPP will allow you to specialize in public child welfare in your elective coursework and field practicum during the year prior to graduation. You will receive an employment incentive of $5,000 after earning a social work degree, committing to work for at least one year in an Ohio public children service agency, and obtaining employment at a public children services agency in Ohio.
Course requirements
In addition to being motivated and enthusiastic to serve vulnerable families from diverse backgrounds, you will need:
- Two child welfare courses: SWK 5007: Child Welfare I and SWK 5008: Child Welfare II
- Bi-weekly child welfare field placement seminars for BSSW students (SWK 4188). Note: MSW students attend the seminar but do not register.
- Field placement in a public children service agency in Ohio (BSSW/SWK 4189, MSW I/SWK 6189, or MSW II and MSW-Advanced Standing/SWK 7189)
Further Information
Please contact Ashlee Pfile, MSW, MS, LSW, University Partnership Program (UPP) Manager
at 614-247-5713 or pfile.2@osu.edu.