TITLE IV-E Program
The Title IV-E program is a statewide training and recruitment program sponsored by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Division of Child and Family Services Division (CFS) and the University of Montana’s School of Social Work Center for Children, Families and Workforce Development (CCFWD).
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Title IV-E CCFWD is to train students to understand the needs of high-risk children and their families and to cultivate a set of skills needed to ensure that the immediate and long-term needs of children and their families are adequately addressed. The knowledge and skills students gain from the program will help to create a cadre of well-trained professionals capable of assuming the professional roles and responsibilities required of a social worker employed by the Division of Child and Family Services.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Students selected for the CCFWD will be awarded an annual stipend ($5,000) and required to enroll in extra-departmental courses that lead to the bachelor’s degree. The terms and conditions of the agreement between eligible students and the University of Montana will be designated in accordance with the federal requirements for educational assistance under Title IV-E. The agreement requires students upon graduation to work for a CFS agency anywhere in Montana for a specified time in exchange for receiving financial support.
The training program also emphasizes the professional competencies required for social work practice in a public child welfare setting and includes interfacing with foster care, adoption assistance, and group home care programs and working effectively with professionals in the medical, educational, and judicial communities.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Students are eligible to apply under the following conditions:
Applicants must be declared social work majors.
Applicants must be in good academic standing with The University of
Montana and have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0.
Applicants must commit to a specified period of employment with CFS upon
graduation. The length of time is dependent on the number of years the
stipend is received.
Applicants must be prepared to accept a position wherever available statewide.
Applicants must successfully complete a criminal background check.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Mail or drop off completed CCFWD applications to:
The University of Montana
School of Social Work
Attn: Charlie Wellenstein
Jeanette Rankin Hall 21
Missoula, MT59812
To be eligible for admission in to the CCFWD program an applicant must:
1.Provide three letters of reference. Please submit three letters of reference from people who can comment on:
a. The applicant’s experience working with children and families.
- The applicant’s experience with and capacity for culturally competent practice with diverse individuals and families.
- The applicant’s commitment to the field of working with families and children at risk.
- The applicant’s potential for completing the prescribed course of study and fulfilling the employment obligation.
- The applicant’s potential for making a professional contribution in either a direct service or administrative role with Child and Family Services.
2.Applicants must: Submit a three page typewritten essay addressing:
-Reasons for choosing to work with children and families in the public sector
-Strengths/weaknesses/concerns you bring to working in child welfare
-Long-term career goals
3.Participate in an interview with a selection committee composed of School of Social Work members and CFS personnel.
4.Meet the minimum education and experience requirements necessary to obtain permanent state employment with CFS upon graduation.
5.Commit to actively pursue employment in CFS for a period for up to six months, following graduation, and be willing and prepared to accept a position, wherever available, statewide. (Graduates are free to accept interim employment elsewhere during those six months.)
6.After successfully passing the interview stage, applicants will be asked to provide documentation that will include:
- Employment Eligibly Verification (form I-9)
- CCFWD Financial Support Repayment Schedule
- Personnel Policy statement (you will undergo a background inquiry check to verify suitability for CFS employment).
RESPONSIBILITIES OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS
Unless the agency is precluded from hiring due to merit system rules, legislative budget cuts, hiring freezes, or other circumstances beyond the agency’s control, program participants will be required to actively pursue CFS employment and to accept an offer from CFS within six months of graduation.
All participants must sign an agreement to work for CFS for a specified period of time following graduation. Reasonable efforts can be made to accept employment in regional proximity to each participant’s residence. However, ultimately, participants must be willing and prepared to apply for and accept a CFS offer of employment wherever available, statewide. Refusal of a valid CFS interview or job offer, which ultimately results in the participant’s failure to secure employment within six months of graduation, will obligate the participant to repay the amount of assistance received.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Students are required to obtain a substantive body of knowledge in relation to theory and practice in the area of public child welfare. Students must take foundation courses in the area of human behavior, policy, social work methods, family systems and related electives. The core curriculum is designed to enhance the student’s knowledge and skills before entering a practicum in child welfare.
Students must complete the following courses and two approved electives. Students must receive a grade of B or better for each class.
- Child Abuse Prevention (SW 420)
- Social Work and the Law (SW 395)
- Serving Changing Families (SW 422) or Children and Youth At Risk (SW 450)
- Social Work Practicum with Child and Family Services Emphasis (SW 488)
All participants are required to complete a two-semester practicum at CFS. Students should expect to be interviewed by CFS supervisors prior to entering their practicum. Students should complete the core courses for the CCFWD program prior to the second semester of practicum.
Participants must remain in good standing with the institution they are attending. If a participant fails to remain in good academic standing and is dropped from the program, he/she will be expected to repay CFS the amount of financial support that was received.
NON-ACADMEIC CRITERIA
All participants are required to complete their practicum in a CCFWD practicum program sponsored by the School of Social Work and CFS.
Participants must also adhere to the non-academic policies of the University of Montana and the School of Social Work.
REPAYMENT REQUIREMENTS
All participants are required to repay CFS the total amount of the financial support received under the following circumstances:
The participant declines valid CFS interview/employment offers resulting in
failure to accept a position within six months of graduation.
The participant fails to meet the academic and non-academic requirements of
the University or is, for any reason, expelled from the school.
The participant voluntarily withdraws from school.
If a participant fails to maintain employment with CFS for the required period of time, repayment will be obligated in accordance with CFS-CCFWD Repayment Schedule.
EXEMPTIONS TO REPAYMENT REQUIREMENT
If a participant’s failure to graduate or accept and retain employment is due to death or physical/mental disability as certified by a licensed physician, and approved by the CFS, the repayment will be waived. If a participant’s failure to graduate or accept employment is due to temporary disability as certified by a licensed physician and approved by CFS, the agency agrees to defer the work commitment for up to one year.
Other exemptions to the repayment requirements, based upon extenuating circumstances, may be granted by CFS.
TAXABLE INCOME
Any financial support received through this program will be taxable as income and should be reported to the IRS. Any inquiries regarding reportable income should be directed to the IRS.
APPLICATION FOR THE TITLE IV-E STIPEND PROGRAM
NameStudent ID
Home Address
Home PhoneBusiness PhoneEmergency Contact
______
Applicants must submit a complete packet for review, which includes an original, plus three copies of all application materials (4 total). Incomplete application packets or materials received in installments will disqualify the applicant. Letters of reference can be mailed separately from the application packet.
Attachments: Please check all the materials listed below which are enclosed with this application.
____Complete copy of application materials submitted to the School of
Social Work
____Copy of college transcripts
____Three reference letters from people who can comment on:
-Your experience working with children and families
-Your experience and capacity for culturally competent practice with
diverse families
-Your commitment to the field of working with families and children at
risk
-Your commitment to adhering to the requirements of the CCFWD/BSW program
____Three pages (typed, double spaced) essay addressing:
-Reasons for choosing to work with children and families in the public
sector
-Strengths, abilities, limitations and concerns you bring to working with
children and families
-Long term career goals and in what capacity you see yourself working
with CFSD
____Consent of Release of Information (see attachment)
____Current or previous child welfare work history (see attachment)
Professional Skills, Competencies, & Ethical Conduct
NOTE: The UM Social Work Handbook and Advising Guide describes the professional skills, competencies and ethical conduct required of social work majors at this University. In keeping with those requirements, carefully and truthfully answer the following questions:
___ yes ___ noDo you understand that the UM School of Social Work has a professional responsibility to insure that students graduating with a social work major have met minimum standards of competency and do not exhibit behavior that could place social work clients at risk of physical and emotional harm?
___ yes ___ noHave you read the Social Work Code of Ethics?
___ yes ___ noIs the Social Work Code of Ethics compatible with your personal values and beliefs and can you abide by its principles? If no, explain:
___ yes ___ noHave you ever been convicted of a crime of violence against a person (e.g. assault, child abuse, child sexual abuse, rape, sexual assault, incest, domestic abuse, homicide). If yes, on an attached sheet of paper describe the offense and when it occurred:
___ yes ___ noDo you understand that the abuse or dangerous use of alcohol and other drugs which interferes with your performance is reason for dismissal from the social work major and reason for refusing to approve of graduation for a social work major?
___ yes ___noDo you understand that a student's personal, emotional, mental or behavioral problems that could place social work clients at risk of physical or psychological harm are reason for dismissal from the social work major and reason for refusing to approve of graduation for a social work major?
___ yes ___ noSocial work practice is stressful. Do you believe that you are capable of coping with high levels of job-related stress and able to function appropriately in emotionally charged situations? If no, explain:
(By your signature you testify that the answers given above are truthful.)
______
Signature Date
CHILD WELFARE WORK HISTORY/VOLUNTEER
List current or previous CFSD or public child welfare related work experiences (paid and/or voluntarily), attach additional page if necessary.
Agency______Supervisor______
Job Title______Length of Employment______
Duties/responsibilities______
Agency______Supervisor______
Job Title______Length of Employment______
Duties/responsibilities______
Agency______Supervisor______
Job Title______Length of Employment______
Duties/responsibilities______
Submit completed application to:
The University of Montana
School of Social Work
Attn: Charlie Wellenstein
Jeanette Rankin Hall 25
Missoula, MT59812
LETTER OF REFERENCE
Name of Applicant______
Name of Person providing reference and relationship to applicant______
______
This letter of reference is for the University of Montana’s Center for Children, Families and Workforce Development. For the purposes of helping to determine if this applicant is suitable for the CCFWD program, please comment on the following:
1. The applicant’s experience working with children and families.
- The applicant’s experience with and capacity culturally competent practice with diverse individuals and families.
- The applicant’s commitment to the field or working with families and children at risk.
- The applicant’s potential for completing the prescribed course of study and fulfilling their employment obligation.
- The applicant’s potential for making a professional contribution in either a direct service or administrative role with Child and Family Services.
I hereby waive the right to view my letters of reference.
______
Signature Date
Please send to:
The University of Montana
School of Social Work
Attn: Charlie Wellenstein
Jeanette Rankin Hall 25
Missoula, MT59812
CONSENT FOR RELEASE OF INFORMATION
Because not all members of the selection committee are staff members of the University of Montana, your specific consent is required in order that all selection committee members may have access to relevant parts of your School of Social Work application.
I, ______give permission to The University of Montana School of Social Work to release my application and academic record to The Center for Children, Families and Workforce Development selection committee members.
______
SignatureDate