The West Virginia University School of Social Work in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences is committed to advancing research and education in child welfare through the Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program for MSW and BSW students.
The grant trains individuals in three key areas:
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BSW/MSW students – Preparing social work students for careers in child
welfare through specialized coursework and field placements.
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Department of Human Services employees – Providing ongoing professional
development and training for child welfare employees.
- Foster, adoptive, and kinship caregivers – Offering trauma-informed and culturally responsive education to support caregivers in meeting the needs of children in their care.
This initiative, in partnership with the WV Social Work Education Consortium (SWEC) and the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), aims to professionalize the child welfare workforce by integrating research-driven training, education, policy development and provide evidence-based training to foster, adoptive, and kinship caregivers through a flexible trauma-informed and culturally aware curriculum. Since its inception in 1992, this collaboration has supported recruitment, internships, and job placement for child welfare professionals, as well as ongoing education and training for foster parents and caregivers across West Virginia.
To learn more about applying to this program as a student, please refer to the Child Welfare Training Program page, under the Field Education tab.
Research and Evaluation
Research is a critical component of the Title IV-E project, ensuring that training and education efforts are evidence-based and impactful. The National Training and Development Curriculum for Foster and Adoptive Parents (NTDC) plays a key role in this research, focusing on training effectiveness and outcomes for foster, adoptive, and kinship caregivers. NTDC training emphasizes trauma-informed care, cultural awareness, and practical strategies for caregivers.
If you are a community member looking to take this training, navigate to our Adoptive & Foster Parent Training page, under the professionals and community tab. To browse the different training sites across the state, navigate to the West Virginia Foster and Adoptive Care Training page.
Impact of Research on Child Welfare Practices
Through Title IV-E and NTDC, WVU collaborates with SWEC members—Bethany College, Concord University, Marshall University, Shepherd University, West Liberty University, and West Virginia State University—to link social work education with public welfare agencies. This partnership ensures that child welfare professionals receive high-quality, research-informed training that improves workforce preparedness and service delivery. Research findings from NTDC and DoHS training evaluations guide curriculum improvements, inform policy decisions, and enhance child welfare practices statewide. We are looking forward to participating in a statewide evaluation of the new NTDC Foster and Adoptive Parent training curriculum, as well.
By integrating rigorous research into training programs, the WVU School of Social Work continues to strengthen the child welfare workforce, ultimately leading to better outcomes for children and families in West Virginia and beyond.