Title IV-E Child Welfare Scholars Stipend Program

The Social Work Program at Idaho State University partners with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) to provide the Child Welfare Scholars Stipend Program for social work students interested in pursuing a career in the dynamic field of child welfare.

The program provides stipends to promising social work students who are committed to practicing child welfare social work in Idaho. The primary goal of the program is to prepare competent social workers in the areas of child welfare case management, foster care, and adoption for career positions with IDHW, Family and Children’s Services (FACS), and Tribal Social Services.

Students accepted into the Child Welfare Scholars Program complete field internships in child welfare agencies in Idaho. Additionally, they have access to a variety of child welfare training opportunities, resources, additional supervision and support both during and following their degree programs, and professional development during their first years of employment. 

Goals of the Child Welfare Scholars Program

• To develop advanced skills in child welfare practice.
• To recruit and retain highly trained, ethnically and racially diverse social work professionals with advanced degrees.
• To advance the knowledge, experience, and professionalism of public child welfare social workers employed by FACS.
• To develop and administer an academic/practicum program informed by current research.

Stipend Amounts

• BSW Award: *$6800 for the completion of a block practicum in either Spring or Fall semester
• MSW Award: *$8000 per year  

Program Eligibility Requirements include:

• Admission to the BSW or MSW program
• Demonstrate a desire to pursue a career in child welfare
• Agree to the educational requirements of the Scholars program and remain in good academic standing
• Have a confirmed field placement in an approved child welfare setting
• Obtain licensure prior to graduation and apply for an eligible position within 45 days of graduation
• Commit to working for IDHW of Tribal Social Services as a Child Welfare Social Worker for a designated period of time after graduation to complete the requirements of the Child Welfare Scholars program
• Understand fully that the stipend must be repaid if program commitments are not met
• Submit to and pass a criminal background check and drug test through the Department of Health and Welfare
• Undergraduate student scholars must complete 4 of the 7 credits from the following courses prior to graduation:
  • Children and Families: Practice Perspectives and Well-Being (SOWK 4487, FALL ONLY), Interprofessional Evaluation Team (SOWK 4417, SPRING ONLY), and/or Substance Abuse: Family and Community (SOWK 4491, SPRING ONLY).
• Graduate student scholars must complete 4 of the 7 credits from the following courses prior to graduation:
  • Interprofessional Evaluation Team (SOWK 5517, SPRING ONLY), Substance Abuse: Family and Community (SOWK 5591, SPRING ONLY), Interprofessional Practice (SOWK 6691, SPRING ONLY), and/or Children and Families: Practice Perspectives and Well-Being (SOWK 5591, FALL ONLY, may be used to fulfill the requirement if the course was not taken during your undergraduate education).

Application Process

• Application Deadline is February 15th annually for spring/fall of the following year.  Applications received after this date will need to be discussed with the Scholars Coordinator.
• Those who are interested in applying for the stipend program are encouraged to contact the Scholars Coordinator.

BSW Applicants

• Apply for the scholar's program the spring prior to the academic year you plan to complete your practicum

MSW Applicants

• Full-time advanced standing students: apply the spring prior to beginning your program
• Part-time advanced standing students: apply the spring prior to your second year of coursework (DHW Employees See Below)
• Full-time and part-time students (non-advanced standing): apply the spring prior to your second year of coursework

DHW Employees

• Eligible following at least one year of employment
• Apply the spring prior to beginning your MSW program regardless of full-time or part-time status. BSW students apply the year prior to your senior practicum.
• MSW students can receive the stipend for the entire two years with a work commitment of two years following graduation.
• DHW employees are encouraged to apply.

*Funding amounts are subject to change due to legislative action.