The Indiana Department of Child Services welcomed 19 students from four Indiana universities to its Bachelor of Social Work Scholars Program in August as part of an ongoing effort to recruit and train the next generation of child welfare professionals.
The BSW Scholars Program offers undergraduate students at participating Indiana education institutions the opportunity to receive financial assistance for their senior year of their Bachelor of Social Work degree while they learn in-depth course content about child welfare. Students can receive up to a full scholarship and a $4,000 stipend to help cover the costs of their education. Students do their senior practicum at a local DCS office and commit to work for DCS for a specified time period post-graduation.
Nearly 600 students have completed the program since its inception in 2006.
"DCS needs passionate, dedicated, knowledgeable people to show up every day for Hoosier children and families,” said DCS Director Eric Miller, MPA, MBA. “Our team members are our greatest asset, and there is no better investment we can make than in the education of the next generation of child welfare professionals.”
The BSW Scholars Program is available to students at Indiana University, Ball State, Indiana State and the University of Southern Indiana.
Since 2001, DCS also has provided scholarships to current employees pursuing their master’s degree in social work (MSW) through the MSW Scholars Program to enhance training and improve employee retention. DCS employees selected for the program receive a scholarship to complete course work that supports the development of advanced skills in child welfare practice and leadership. More than 450 employees have completed the program to date.
Seventy percent of individuals who have completed the MSW Scholars Program since 2015 remain with the agency.
“I’ve worked at DCS for almost 20 years because I’m passionate about helping children and families succeed," said Sarah Sailors, chief deputy director and senior advisor. “The knowledge I gained from the MSW program has helped shape me into the person I am today. Programs like this help our agency serve families and children in the best way possible."
About Indiana DCS: The Indiana Department of Child Services leads the state’s response to allegations of child abuse and neglect and facilitates child support payments. We consider the needs and values of all we serve in our efforts to protect children while keeping families together whenever possible.