**AS OF FALL 2005 SEMESTER, THE PART TIME PROGRAM WILL NOT BE OFFERED**
2008 TITLE IV-E APPLICATION COVER LETTER
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The program provides stipends of $18,500 per year for TWO YEARS, a total of $37,000. Students must participate in the full time MSW program and be preparing for careers in public child welfare.
ELIGIBILITY
Students must be enrolled as FULL TIME (6.1 or more units) as defined by the University. Current employees of county Department of Social Services MUST BE ON EDUCATIONAL LEAVE (i.e. not receiving pay from the agency) during the academic year. They may work during break periods and summers.
SELECTION PROCESS
a. Students must be officially
admitted into the University and the MSW program.
b. Preference will be given to individuals with an interest in child
welfare who are:
1. Current employees of county Department of Social Services. You must have a Letter of Support from the agency director and be on Educational Leave.
2. Minority applicants.
3. All other applicants.
c. A stipend award committee comprised
of representatives of the Title IV-E, School of Social Work and local
area public child welfare agencies will review all Title IV-E Stipend
Applications, interview candidates, and determine to whom the awards
will be offered. If you are selected, you will receive a notification
through the mail.
STUDENT'S OBLIGATIONS
SUMMARY:
a. Applicants must agree, upon graduation, to work in a county child welfare services for a period of two years.
b. Applicants must agree to participate in the complete child welfare curriculum as defined by the School, this includes special training classes during the Fall and Spring Semesters and related field education.
c.
Applicants must agree to
undergo pre-screening for county employment (fingerprint/livescan and
DMV background check), to have a valid California driver's license and
to secure use of a car as required for fieldwork.
WORK PAY BACK REQUIREMENTS:
Students must apply for employment within SIX (6) MONTHS of graduation. SFSU, School of Social Work will assist students by providing information about job openings and application procedures.
a. Students who are employees on educational leave must return to work in their home county upon graduation and render one year of continuous and satisfactory full-time employment for each year of stipend award at a level appropriate to a new MSW, unless there is no appropriate child welfare worker job available.
b. Students who don't have a prior job or employees who can't find a child welfare job must apply to all the county Child Welfare agencies within SEVENTY-FIVE (75) MILES of their homes.
c. If a graduate is unable to find a position within 75 miles, the graduate MUST THEN APPLY THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR EMPLOYMENT IN A COUNTY CHILD WELFARE AGENCY.
d. If the graduate has applied to all counties in the State and been unable to find a position, the graduate may request permission to accept a position in a related county program or non-profit agency serving county IV-E child welfare clients.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
a. The academic objectives of this program are defined by the California Child Welfare Competencies produced by CalSWEC. Students must complete the ENTIRE MSW child welfare program and maintain in an academic good standing (3.0 GPA each semester). All students must take specialized workshops or trainings on child welfare related issues. When possible student should take SW 862 (Child Welfare Policy) and SW 843 (Social Work with Children and Families).
b. Students must attend special non-credit Title IV-E group meetings.
FIELD REQUIREMENTS:
a. All field placement must be approved by the Field Education Director.
b. Students must complete the equivalent of two years of field work. One year MUST be in a county Child Welfare Department with Title IV-E children. An additional year MUST be in related county or non-profit program delivering service to Title IV-E child welfare clients.
c. First year and second year students must enroll in Child Welfare designated sections of Social Work 741 field seminars.
FAILURE TO MEET THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PROGRAM
PAYBACK REQUIREMENTS:
Students are responsible for payback of financial aid and any costs of collection under the following circumstances:
a. Unsatisfactory performance in class or in the field.
b. Failure to complete the MSW within the normative period (unless a hardship extension is granted).
c. Failure to accept appropriate employment.
d. Failure to qualify for employment; as a result of failing an interview, medical, or sychological exam, or criminal clearance.
e. Conviction for a felony or of a crime involving harm to children.
f. Voluntary termination of employment before completion of the work requirement (unless a hardship extension is granted).
g. Termination of employment before completion of the work requirement due to poor work or improper conduct.
h. Violation of the NASW Code of Ethics.
DELAY OF GRADUATION:
Students who cannot complete graduation requirements because of personal hardship or disability may request a POSTPONEMENT for one year with approval of the School of Social Work. Hardship postponements may be extended for one additional year. At the end of the postponement period the student must return and complete his/her education or repay the stipend. Waivers of repayment may be made in the case of permanent disability or death.
WORK INTERRUPTION:
A graduate who terminates employment
before the requirement is completed must repay the full stipend.
However, the graduate may be granted a HARDSHIP POSTPONEMENT of one year
with permission of SFSU, School of Social Work. Hardship postponements
may be extended for one additional year. At the end of the postponement
period the graduate must return and complete his/her work requirement or
repay the stipend. Waivers of repayment may 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 a county child
welfare service with 75 miles of his/her home, payback may be delayed
for up to 14 months. The graduate must make a good faith effort to
secure employment throughout the State, within that 14 month period. If
no appropriate employment is available, the graduate may seek a related
position in a non-profit agency serving IV-E eligible clients.
TERMS OF FINANCIAL REPAYMENT
Interest rate of 6%, collection costs, and repayment periods will be negotiated with the Loans and Receivable Departments of the University in all repayment situations. Any money recouped from students will be forwarded to CalSWEC and deducted from future charges to the State and federal governments.