MSW Stipend Program

Purpose

The purpose of the Child Welfare Stipend Program at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work is the education of professional social workers to effectively serve families who use public child welfare services. Funds come from Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, which provides support for child welfare services, training and education. These federal funds are matched with state dollars. The Colorado state budget for 2008-2009 has not been finalized. It is unclear how many stipends will be made available. Nevertheless, the Butler Institute for Families at GSSW will proceed with the application process according to the schedule listed below.

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Rural, Urban, and Distance Learning Stipends

Applicants may apply for either Rural, Urban, or Distance Learning Stipends.

• Rural Stipends are anticipated to be $17,000 for the academic year. Students receiving Rural Stipends have two months following graduation to find employment in a rural Colorado County or Colorado Indian Reservation of their choice in public child welfare and agree to work one calendar year for each academic year of funding. Rural counties are defined by the Colorado Department of Human Services.
• Urban Stipends are expected to be $14,000 for the academic year. Students receiving Urban Stipends have two months following graduation to find employment in the Colorado County or Colorado Indian Reservation of their choice in public child welfare. If they do not secure employment within two months of graduation, Urban Stipend students must take positions in rural county departments of social service.
• Distance Learning Stipends for students at one of GSSW's distance sites are expected to be $8,000 for the academic year. Students receiving Distance Learning Stipends have two months following graduation to find employment in the Colorado County or Colorado Indian Reservation of their choice in public child welfare. If they do not secure employment within two months of graduation, Distance Learning Stipend students must take positions in rural county departments of social service.

Application Process

Applications for GSSW 2008-2009 Concentration Year Students are due by March 7, 2008 at 5:00 pm.

• Download your Stipend Application.
• Written applications are reviewed and selected candidates are scheduled for interview.
• Selected candidates are interviewed by representatives of the Colorado Department of Human Services, Colorado County Departments of Human/Social Services, and the Butler Institute for Families at the University of Denver.
• Selected students are awarded stipends contingent on the availability of funds.

Notification of awards prior to April 9, 2008.

Applications for 2008 Summer Advanced Standing Students are due by May 8, 2008 at 5:00 pm.

• Applicants must first apply and be accepted into the Advanced Standing MSW Program.
• Applications are mailed to all students accepted into the Advanced Standing Program.
• Written applications are screened and selected candidates are scheduled for an interview.
• Selected candidates are interviewed by representatives of the Colorado Department of Human Services, Colorado County Departments of Human/Social Services, and the Butler Institute for Families at the University of Denver.
• Selected students are awarded stipends contingent on the availability of funds.

Applications for First Year Students (current Colorado county child welfare employees only) accepted into GSSW after April 20, 2008 are due by May 11, 2008 at 5:00 pm.

• Although other first year students are not ordinarily eligible to receive CW stipends, if any should be made available, applications, screening, interviews, and awards will begin.

Nature of the Award

All students receiving a child welfare stipend make a commitment to employment in a Colorado Department of Social/Human Services or on a Colorado Indian Reservation serving child welfare populations following graduation. Students must work one calendar year for each academic year of funding. Based on the needs of the State, students not securing employment within two months of graduation may be required to accept employment in a rural county designated by the state.

• Students wishing to work in urban areas will receive a tuition credit of approximately $14,000.
• Students committing to employment in rural Colorado county child welfare departments will be awarded tuition credits of approximately $17,000.
• Students at Distance Learning sites will receive a tuition credit of approximately $8,000.

Student Eligibility and Selection

Full-time graduate students are eligible to apply for funding if they meet the following conditions:

1. Students who will begin the second year of their MSW program in the fall of 2008.
2. Students accepted into the Advanced Standing MSW program prior to the deadlines set for stipend applicants.

Current employees of Colorado County Departments of Human/Social Services must commit to returning to their current state or county position for a period of one year for each academic year for which they receive funding. Should they choose to leave their current state or county child welfare position, they have two months to secure employment in a Colorado County Department of Social/Human Services or on a Colorado Indian Reservation in a child welfare position. Rural county employees who have received rural stipends must re-locate to rural Colorado counties. Should they fail to do so, they may be required to accept a position in a rural county designated by the State.

Persons in preparation for hire in public child welfare must complete at least one academic year of field placement in a public child welfare position, successfully complete all required courses and commit to accepting employment in a county department of social services or on a Colorado Indian Reservation in a child welfare position for one year for each academic year for which they receive funding.

Applicants must be legal residents of the United States of America or legally authorized to work in the United States and provide proof thereof in accordance with the requirements of Colorado law. Applicants must also have and maintain a valid Colorado Drivers License and proof of insurance.

Applicants must also meet security clearance screens to work with children.

Academic Requirements

Students must successfully complete the entire MSW child welfare program, which includes specialized courses in, and related to, child welfare practice. In addition, students will plan electives with their advisor and stipend program staff to advance their skills in child welfare practice. Stipend recipients who are not currently employed in public child welfare in Colorado must complete one year (three academic quarters) of field placement in a public child welfare setting.

Work Interruption

A graduate who terminates employment before the required work period is completed must repay the prorated remaining amount of the stipend. However the graduate may be granted a hardship postponement of up to one year with permission of the Colorado Department of Human Services. Hardship postponements are generally granted in three-month increments. At the end of the postponement period, the graduate must complete his/her work requirement or repay the amount owed. Waivers of repayment will be made in the case of permanent disability or death. If the graduate is laid off because of county budget cuts and cannot secure employment in another county, waiver of repayment may be considered.

Payback Requirements

Students are responsible for repayment of the amount of the stipend, interest, and any costs of collection under the following circumstances:

1. Failure to successfully complete the MSW child welfare program within one and one-half years of full time study.
2. Failure to meet a security clearance screen for work with children.
3. Failure to secure employment in a child welfare position within two months of graduation (unless a waiver is granted).
4. Voluntary or involuntary termination of employment before completion of the work requirement.
5. Violation of the National Association of Social Worker Code of Ethics during the payback period.

Terms of Repayment

Terms of repayment will be negotiated with the University of Denver and the State of Colorado. If no agreement is reached or the student defaults on the agreement, collection procedures will be undertaken by the State of Colorado, Central Collection Department.

Field Requirements

Current child welfare employees must accept a field placement that will enhance their ability to perform as an MSW professional in a child welfare setting, as determined by the student and the child welfare faculty. Other students must complete at least one year of field placement in a county department of social services setting serving child welfare clients.

Delay of Graduation

Students shall obtain child welfare employment in a Colorado County Department of Human/Social Services or on a Colorado Indian Reservation within two months of graduation, and work for at least 4 months for each quarter of stipend support received. Should a student fail to obtain employment within two months of graduation, he/she will be required to interview and accept employment in public child welfare in a rural Colorado county.

Work Requirements

Students shall obtain child welfare employment in a Colorado County Department of Human/Social Services or on a Colorado Indian Reservation within two months of graduation, and work for at least 4 months for each quarter of stipend support received. Should a student fail to obtain employment within two months of graduation, he/she will be required to interview and accept employment in public child welfare in a rural Colorado county.

This employment might necessitate a student’s relocation to another part of the state. Students must accept interviews in any county in Colorado. If a graduate cannot locate a job within two months of graduation, and they are unable to obtain employment in a state selected county, payback may be delayed for up to one year upon approval of the State Department of Human Services. The graduate must demonstrate effort to secure employment within that year, participating in all interviews and accepting a job if offered.

More Information

Please contact:

Sandra Spears
sspears@du.edu
P: 303.871.4174
F: 303.871.4980