About the Child Welfare Trauma Fellowship

Master of Social Work students in the Child Welfare have a unique opportunity to receive a $13,650 stipend if selected to be part of the National Child Welfare Workforce Initiative (NCWWI). The fellowship is designed to increase child welfare practice effectiveness.

The Indiana University School of Social Work was awarded a $735,000 from NCWWI and is one of chosen as one of 11 universities in the U.S. to be part of this initiative. The School of Social Work has partnered with the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) to enhance MSW education in the child welfare concentration.

The School has enhanced the child welfare curriculum to train students how to work with children and families who have experienced trauma.

Students chosen for the fellowship are expected to:

• Attend enhanced field seminars
• Be placed at a DCS office for field
• Perform a specialized trauma project
• Return to campus every other month after graduation for a seminar in professional development as a way to transition into the professional workforce
• Accept employment at DCS for a period of 2 years post-] graduation

What do I get if I’m accepted?

• $13,650 in stipend money
• Paid student health insurance
• Trauma-enhanced education in the child welfare concentration
• Personalized learning in field seminar
• Post-graduate professional development training
• A job upon graduation working for the DCS

Is this for me?

Working at DCS is not for everyone. We are looking for social workers that want to make a difference in the lives of children and families, help children and families, help children and families heal from trauma, break the cycle of violence in the lives of children and families, and work to reunify children and their families.

To help students decide if they are indeed ready to take on this type of challenge, we suggest taking a quiz to see if you are a good fit. To take the quiz below.

• The Quiz
  1. I can’t imagine enjoying any profession as much as public child welfare.

  1) Strongly Disagree 2) Disagree 3) Agree 4) Strongly agree

  2. I intend to remain in child welfare as my long-term professional career.

  1) Strongly Disagree2) Disagree3) Agree4) Strongly agree

  3. I would remain employed in public child welfare even though I might be offered a position outside of child welfare with a higher salary.

  1) Strongly Disagree2) Disagree3) Agree4) Strongly agree

  4. I believe the personal and professional benefits outweigh the difficulties and frustrations of working in public child welfare.

  1) Strongly Disagree2) Disagree3) Agree4) Strongly agree

  5. I am not actively seeking employment outside the field of public child welfare.

  1) Strongly Disagree2) Disagree3) Agree4) Strongly agree

  6. I am enthusiastic about working in public child welfare.

  1) Strongly Disagree2) Disagree3) Agree4) Strongly agree

  7. My personal success in working with clients will not be an important factor in determining whether I will remain employed in child welfare.

  1) Strongly Disagree2) Disagree3) Agree4) Strongly agree

  8. Even though career and promotional opportunities in public child welfare are somewhat limited, I remain strongly committed to a long-term career in public child welfare.

  1) Strongly Disagree2) Disagree3) Agree4) Strongly agree

  9. Even though many DFCS clients live in disadvantaged and/or dangerous neighborhoods, I am willing to make home visits using my own automobile.

  1) Strongly Disagree2) Disagree3) Agree4) Strongly agree

  10. As a child welfare professional, I believe I can have a positive and long-lasting influence on children and families in need.

  1) Strongly Disagree2) Disagree3) Agree4) Strongly agree

  11. I am committed to working in public child welfare even though it requires a considerable amount of time (20-40%) to complete required paperwork and case documentation.

  1) Strongly Disagree2) Disagree3) Agree4) Strongly agree

  12. I am willing to be on call for work during evenings and on weekends if necessary, even though overtime pay is generally not allowed.

  1) Strongly Disagree2) Disagree3) Agree4) Strongly agree

• Documents and Application

  APPLICATION FOR NCWWI STIPEND PROGRAM (DOC, >1 MB)

  CRIMINAL HISTORY AND BACKGROUND CHECK (DOC, >1 MB)

  DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SERVICES SERVICE REGIONS (DOC, >1 MB)

  INDIANA CHILD SERVICES background check (DOC, >1 MB)

  INDIANA CHILD WELFARE TRAUMA FELLOWSHIP REFERENCES (DOC, >1 MB)

  PETITION FOR EXCEPTIONAL CONSIDERATION (DOC, >1 MB)

2014-2015 Cohort

• Kristen Brown
• Alexis Carrier
• Stephanie Dobbins
• Amber Garlick
• Ambyr Wade
• Tracy Williams