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Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program

For BSW and MSW Students

The Child Welfare Training Project is managed by Jacki Englehardt. Interested BSW and MSW students should review the brochure for more information and reach out to Ms. Englehardt with any questions.

Who is the program for?

Full-time and Part-time BSW or MSW Students (Non–WVDoHS Employees) 

Tuition waivers (in-state tuition only)/fees and stipends are available for a limited number of students who are planning a career in Child Welfare. Students accepting the traineeship are required to work for WVDoHS in a child welfare position following their graduation for the number of months equal to the number of months for which stipends and tuition were received. An elective course in child welfare is required for Title IV-E supported students; SOWK 380 for BSW students and SOWK 680 for MSW students. Field internships for BSW and MSW students are required to be completed at WVDoHS serving families and children. Interested students should submit a Title IV-E application to the WVU School of Social Work. Students will be chosen for Title IV-E participation by the WVU Title IV-E Coordinator and a WVDoHS representative.

Current WVDoHS Employees in MSW Programs 

Employees of WVDoHS are encouraged to obtain the Master of Social Work Degree. WVDoHS and the School of Social Work at WVU partner to deliver training and education in child welfare to direct service workers and supervisors. Title IV-E traineeships require admission to the WVU MSW degree program (on campus or online). WVDoHS employees should submit a Title IV-E application to the WVU School of Social Work and notify the IV-E Stipend Liaison in writing that they are applying for Title IV-E support through WVU. Employees will be chosen for Title IV-E participation by the WVU Title IV-E Coordinator and a WVDoHS representative. WVDoHS employees must enroll for a minimum of 3-6 credits per semester as part-time students per the approved degree plan. SOWK 680, a course in child welfare and field placement(s) with WVDoHS serving children and families are required. Students accepting the traineeship are required to work for WVDoHS in a child welfare position following graduation with the MSW for the number of months equal to the number of months for which stipends and tuition were received.

To be considered for an award

In-state tuition/fees and stipends are available through the School of Social Work and the West Virginia Department of Human Services, (WVDoHS) Title IV-E, Child Welfare Training Project.

In order to be considered for an award, a student must:

  • Be admitted to the BSW or MSW Degree Program and remain in good academic standing (BSW 2.0 GPA, MSW 3.0 GPA)
  • Be employed or approved for employment by WVDoHS, Bureau for Social Services
  • Meet with Title IV-E Principal Investigator and WVDoHS representatives
  • Pass a Criminal Investigations Background (CIB) clearance
  • Have a valid driver’s license
  • Agree to complete field placement(s) in child welfare with WVDoHS
  • Be eligible to receive a WV Social Work license
  • Register for and complete SOWK 380 or SOWK 680, Child Welfare, with a minimum grade of B 
  • Upon graduation, accept a position offered by WVDoHS in any of its state or county offices for an equivalent time as tuition waivers and stipends were received. In the absence of WVDoHS employment, all tuition and stipend funds received must be paid back in full.
  • Complete all work obligations to WVDoHS from previous Title IVE awards (i.e. BSW graduates who wish to receive Title IVE for MSW coursework.)

How to apply

Admitted WVU BSW and MSW students may apply to the Child Welfare Training Project  (aka Title IV-E program) and applications are typically due in mid-March of each year for the following academic year. 

The 2025-2026 WVU Title IV-E application is due March 17, 2025. 

IV-E Traineeship Application Process 

Please submit the following: 

  1. A completed Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program application (request from Linda.Grandon@mail.wvu.edu)

  2. A resume that includes: local and permanent address(es) and phone(s), e-mail, anticipated date of graduation, and two reference letters (if you have worked in DoHS or in the field of child welfare, at least one letter should be from your supervisor in that/those position/s)

  3. A brief personal statement describing your interest in public child welfare social services. 
Scan/Email your completed application packet (with ALL the above listed items) to Linda Grandon and Jacki Englehardt at: linda.grandon@mail.wvu.edu and jacki.englehardt@mail.wvu.edu by March 17, 2 025.

Objectives and goals

  • Increase professional service in West Virginia in child welfare.
  • Build capacities in West Virginia public child welfare.
  • Enhance existing campus-community collaboration in West Virginia.
  • Build professional partnerships for child welfare in West Virginia.
  • Strengthen statewide collaboration in child welfare education.
  • Disseminate work at national and regional meetings.
  • Work toward comprehensive child welfare training in West Virginia.
  • Recruit, educate, and graduate MSW and BSW professional social workers.
  • Enhance visibility of Title IV-E and child welfare educational opportunities.

About the Project

Title IV-E child welfare agencies and universities have developed programs around the country with focus on social work education which prepares undergraduate and graduate students for work in public child welfare, and provides high quality, in-service training to practitioners in the public welfare agencies.

Since 1992, West Virginia University had supported Title IV recruitment, education, internship, and job placement and follow-up, as well as agency-based employee training and curricular development in child welfare. Based on a collaborative planning with member schools if the WV Social Work Education Consortium, (SWEC) and the WV Department of Human Services (DHS), proposal objectives reflect the planning efforts of SWEC at its May 2001 meeting. The work of DHS and its Regional Administrators in policy development for training support of employees enrolled in part-time MSW degree program at West Virginia University (WVU) is included as well.

This collaboration the Social Work Education Consortium (SWEC), began in 1992. Current SWEC members include: West Virginia University, Concord University, Marshall University, Shepherd University, West Liberty University, and West Virginia State University, 

Implementation of Title IV-E to date is based upon collaboration among the BSW and MSW programs in West Virginia and the state Department of Human Services. The history of West Virginia’s efforts to professionalize its child welfare work force includes training workers and stipend students in social work degree programs, conferences, workshops, and in-service sessions. Supported mostly by Title IV-E funding, the six public institutions that are accredited to deliver BSW or MSW degree education and the public DHS agency have worked together. SWEC has linked public social services and higher education statewide for purposes of curricular development, continuing education and social work degree education at baccalaureate and graduate degree levels.