Child Welfare Scholars

The Idaho Child Welfare Scholars program exists through a partnership between the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) and the universities and colleges that serve Idaho students. The program provides tuition reimbursement to promising bachelor's and master's level social work students who are committed to practicing social work in Idaho in the field of child welfare. Title IV-E of the Social Security Act provides funding for these stipends. The primary goal of the program is to prepare competent social workers in the areas of foster care and adoption for career positions with IDHW, Children and Family Services (CFS).

Students accepted into the Child Welfare Scholars program are placed in public or private child welfare agencies in Idaho for their field practicum and have access to a variety of child welfare training opportunities and resources. The Scholars stipend program is available for both current and potential Health and Welfare employees. Recruitment of potential employees and retention of current employees are central to the purpose of the program.

Goals of the Child Welfare Scholars Program

• To increase the number and professional child welfare skills of BSW/MSW level social workers among the existing CFS workforce.
• 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 CFS.
• To develop and administer an academic/practicum program, which is informed by current research on public child welfare and is evaluated to determine the value added by Scholars graduates to public child welfare practice.

Program Eligibility

• Child Welfare Scholar applicants are selected from those admitted to a BSW/MSW program at Eastern Washington University, Boise State University, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College, or Northwest Nazarene University.
• Demonstrate a desire to pursue a career in child welfare or be a full-time employee with CFS for one continuous year.
• 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.
• Commit to work for CFS 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.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien, which can include a permanent resident, granted asylum under Section 208, and a refugee under Section 207.
• Submit to and pass a criminal background check.

Please contact your Faculty Field Coordinator if you need assistance or additional information.