Axe ’Em, Jacks!
Two decades of partnership
The Child Welfare Professional Development Project is a federally funded Title IV-E partnership of SFA’s School of Social Work and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Going strong for nearly 20 years, the program trains qualified, knowledgeable and compassionate social workers who serve rural and underserved counties in East Texas.
In addition to training future social workers, the CWPDP also provides a variety of programming designed to improve the lives of children in East Texas foster care. Throughout the year, the CWPDP offers resources, educational materials and training opportunities for foster families and current employees of Child Protective Services.
Through the CWPDP, students in the Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work programs have the opportunity to apply for unique field work and internship opportunities that provide valuable, hands-on training and generous stipends.
B.S.W. students
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work can apply for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Title IV-E stipend program. To qualify for the program, B.S.W. students must:
- be approved for senior field instruction
- have a GPA of 2.8 or higher in all social work courses
- meet all requirements for employment with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
- complete a criminal background and driving record check
- and interview in person with Child Protective Services.
Important: B.S.W. students participating in the stipend program are required to work for a minimum of eight months in a Title IV-E position with Child Protective Services. Students must accept a position within 60 days of graduating from SFA.
M.S.W. students and current Child Protective Services employees
SFA graduate students and current Child Protective Services employees working toward a Master of Social Work also are eligible to apply for the stipend program. Students who are admitted to the M.S.W. program at SFA and the Title IV-E program receive a stipend every fall and spring semester.
To qualify for the program, M.S.W. students must:
- be approved for the Field Instruction III course
- have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all M.S.W. coursework
- meet all requirements for employment with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
- complete a criminal background and driving record check
- and interview in person with Child Protective Services.
Foster care outreach and training
The Child Welfare Professional Development Project offers a variety of training opportunities for Child Protective Service workers, adoptive parents, foster parents and service providers in East Texas. Training programs and materials include:
- a library of training DVDs for foster parents.
- and training conferences and events for Child Protective Services employees and foster parents.