Child Welfare Initiative Stipend & Certificate

ProgramsUniversity of Tennessee at Chattanooga

106 Hunter Hall , Dept 3133615 McCallie Avenue

Chattanooga, TN 37403(423) 425-5628(423) 425-5564 faxwww.utc.edu/cwi

Child Welfare Stipend Program An Overview

• The BSW Stipend Program provides financial support for selected baccalaureate level social work majors who have expressed an interest and made a commitment to work with children and families upon completion of the social work degree program.

• By forming a partnership with consortium universities offering BSW degrees, DCS will help future and current employees in meeting the challenges brought about by the ever changing focus of child welfare practice and policy.

www.utc.edu/cwi

Benefits of particpating in the UTC Child Welfare Stipend Program

• To have up to two years (24 Months) of your BSW degree tuition paid.

• To receive a small stipend for living expenses (books, food, etc.)

• To receive priority in hiring at DCS based on the certification as a Child Welfare worker.

• To be paid at a higher pay scale than other entry-level DCS employees.

www.utc.edu/cwi

 

Minimum Starting SalariesTennessee Department of Children

Services

• Case Manager I – – $2,521/month, $30,252/year

• Case Manager II – – $2,859/month, $34,304/year

www.utc.edu/cwi

Effective 7/1/2007

Qualifying for the Child Welfare Stipend Program

• You have at least three semesters and not more than four semesters of undergraduate Social Work courses left to take before graduation.

• You apply to and are accepted to the Social Work Department and the Child Welfare Initiative Program at UTC.

• You must complete the necessary university requirements for a Bachelor Degree in Social Work within two years of beginning this program. As part of the necessary requirements, you will be required to successfully complete the certification program which includes: two (2) Child Welfare courses offered by UTC and a one year field placement in a DCS setting during the senior year.

www.utc.edu/cwi

• Throughout the period of the program, you must maintain the necessary 2.5 GPA and maintain full-time status as required by the university’s Bachelor Degree in Social Work program. (12 Credit Hours)

• As a participant in this program you will be obligated, by agreement, to work for the Tennessee Department of Children's Services for up to 24 months after graduation.

Qualifying for the Stipend Program - Continued

www.utc.edu/cwi

• Will the internship at DCS count towards my 400-hour internship as part of the UTC BSW program? – Yes, your 400 hour internship at DCS will count toward the internship requirement for the BSW degree.

What will be my official professional qualifications at the conclusion of this program?- You will earn a Bachelors Degree in social work (BSW) from UTC-You will be a certified child welfare professional in the State of Tennessee

www.utc.edu/cwi

Frequently Asked Questions

Would you like more information about the Child

Welfare program?

University of Tennessee at ChattanoogaChild Welfare Initiative

(423) 425-5628www.utc.edu/cwi