BSW Prospective Child Welfare Scholars
The Bachelor's in Social Work Child Welfare Scholars Program promotes the development of generalist social workers to become leaders who are committed to pursuing culturally responsive practice as they serve at-risk children and their families through county and tribal agencies, focusing on Northern Minnesota.
Program Overview
Education and Curriculum
- Must demonstrate a commitment to the field of public and/or tribal child welfare
- Complete SW 4113: Introduction to Child Welfare course and SW 4215: Trauma Informed Practice
- Focus SW 4103: Senior Project & SW 4120: Community Volunteer Experience in child welfare
- Attend and complete Minnesota Child Welfare Training System Foundation Training
Financial Support
- UMD BSW Child Welfare Scholars will be awarded $3,000 per semester, or $6,000 per academic year. Eligible candidates must be full-time students.
- Students may apply for the Child Welfare Scholars Program in their junior or senior year
Student Support
- One on one and group support for all BSW Child Welfare Scholars
- Connection with other BSW and MSW Child Welfare Scholars
- Opportunities to attend special seminars and trainings
- Monthly student seminars provide a place for students to discuss child welfare practice, share their experiences in the field and learn about new and promising practices.
Scholar Requirements
- Complete the required senior field placement in a county, state, or tribal child welfare unit
- Upon graduation, seek and accept, if offered within 3 months of graduation, a child welfare job in a county, state, or tribal child welfare agency
- Remain employed in a public or tribal child welfare position for a length of time equivalent to the amount of time financial support was received
National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (NCWWI) Scholar Program
Leech Lake has partnered with UMD in a NCWWI grant to support and develop the child welfare workforce. As a part of the grant, traineeships will be offered through UMD, which will provide further support and development with the goals of improving outcomes for American Indian families and improving workforce retention. Program elements will include training opportunities, coaching and personal leadership development.
Eligible students may apply to the NCWWI program upon acceptance to the social work program. Selection criteria will require demonstrated leadership qualities and human service -- preferably child welfare -- experience, knowledge of and familiarity with American Indian child welfare practice, and a commitment to work in a tribal or public agency, preferably one in which at least 50% of the caseload consists of American Indian children, for the equivalent number of months they receive traineeship funds.
BSW and MSW students working in either tribal or county child welfare with American Indian families are encouraged to apply. NCWWI scholars may be either part-time or full-time students. In order to apply, applicants will need to complete the last page of the Child Welfare Scholar application where it notes the NCWWI application questions, in addition to the entirety of the Child Welfare Scholar application.
How to apply to become a Child Welfare Scholar
If you think you are interested in becoming a child welfare scholar and you have not worked in child welfare previously, we ask that you review How the Child Welfare System Works and the Minnesota Child Welfare Practice Model to provide you with an understanding of the field of child welfare. We then ask you to watch Child Protection Work in Minnesota: A Realistic Job Preview, which is part of the application process.
When you are ready to apply, complete the appropriate Child Welfare Scholars application below and return via email to Amy Madsen at [email protected].
2022-2023 BSW Child Welfare Application Deadlines
Priority acceptance deadline: March 1, 2023
Final acceptance deadline: June 15, 2023
MSW Prospective Child Welfare Scholars
The Master's in Social Work Child Welfare Scholars Program promotes the development of advanced generalist social workers, practitioners, and leaders who are committed to pursuing culturally responsive practice as they serve at-risk children and their families through county and tribal agencies, focusing on Northern Minnesota.
Program Overview
Education and Curriculum
- Students must demonstrate a commitment to the field of public and/or tribal child welfare
- Complete SW 5032 Child Welfare and the Law, SW 8031 Advanced Child Welfare Practice and SW 5215 Trauma Informed Practice
- Attend and complete Minnesota Child Welfare Training System Foundation Training
- Attend/host a session at the St. Louis County Health and Human Services Conference
- Attend/facilitate group table discussions at the Annual ICWA Conference
Financial Support
- UMD MSW Child Welfare Scholars will be awarded up to $5,500 per semester, depending on the number of registered credits. Eligible candidates may be full- or part-time students.
Student Support
- One on one and group support for all MSW Child Welfare Scholars
- Connection with other MSW and BSW Child Welfare Scholars
- Opportunities to attend special seminars and trainings
- Monthly student seminars provide a place for students to talk about child welfare practice, share their experiences in the field and learn about new and promising practice.
Scholar Requirements
- Complete the required field II placement in a county, state, or tribal child welfare unit
- Upon graduation, seek and accept, if offered within 12 months of graduation, a child welfare job in a county, state, or tribal child welfare agency
- Remain employed in a public or tribal child welfare position for a length of time equivalent to the amount of time financial support was received
National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (NCWWI) Scholar Program
Leech Lake has partnered with UMD in a NCWWI grant to support and develop the child welfare workforce. As a part of the grant, traineeships will be offered through UMD, which will provide further support and development with the goals of improving outcomes for American Indian families and improving workforce retention. Program elements will include training opportunities, coaching and personal leadership development.
Eligible students may apply to the NCWWI program upon acceptance to the social work program. Selection criteria will require demonstrated leadership qualities and human service -- preferably child welfare -- experience, knowledge of and familiarity with American Indian child welfare practice, and a commitment to work in a tribal or public agency, preferably one in which at least 50% of the caseload consists of American Indian children, for the equivalent number of months they receive traineeship funds.
BSW and MSW students working in either tribal or county child welfare with American Indian families are encouraged to apply. NCWWI scholars may be either part-time or full-time students. In order to apply, applicants will need to complete the last page of the Child Welfare Scholar application where it notes the NCWWI application questions, in addition to the entirety of the Child Welfare Scholar application.
How to apply to become a Child Welfare Scholar
If you think you are interested in becoming a child welfare scholar and you have not worked in child welfare previously, we ask that you review How the Child Welfare System Works and the Minnesota Child Welfare Practice Model to provide you with an understanding of the field of child welfare. We then ask you to watch Child Protection Work in Minnesota: A Realistic Job Preview, which is part of the application process.
When you are ready to apply, complete the appropriate Child Welfare Scholars application below and return via email to Amy Madsen at [email protected].
2022-2023 MSW Child Welfare Application Deadlines
Priority acceptance deadline: March 1, 2023
Child Welfare Scholar Resources
Welcome! Here you will find the essential resources you will need to make your time both during and after the Child Welfare Scholars Program successful.
Child Welfare Scholars Handbooks
BSW Scholars
MSW Scholars
Child Welfare Scholars Forms
Upon exit of the program, Child Welfare Scholars who are employed in the field must submit a Confirmation of Employment form to begin their job payback and a Completion of Employment form when they have completed their payback . Scholars who complete the job search must submit the Job Search Documentation form with accompanying documentation.
Applicable Payback Positions
Scholars are encouraged to contact the Student Support Coordinator with questions regarding qualifying child welfare employment prior to accepting any child welfare position.
Contact Information
Three years post-exit from the Child Welfare Scholars Program, all Child Welfare Scholars are required to keep the Center apprised of their contact information, as the Center may need to get in touch with Scholars from time to time. Please contact Amy Madsen at 218-726-7497 or [email protected] if you have changes in contact information.
Forms
