Application Form - Child Welfare Stipend Program at VCU, 2019-2020 Academic Year
Applicants for the full time two year program are encouraged to apply for the CWSP at VCU. The application deadline to apply for this program for this group of prospective students is February 28, 2019.

*You will likely not yet have your MSW admission decision by this date however you can still apply and application packets received after this date will not be considered.

Application submission for the CWSP at VCU for full time rising specialization year M.S.W. students and M.S.W. ASP applicants was due December 7, 2018 and is now closed.

Email address *
Who Should Apply?
M.S.W. applicants for the two year full time M.S.W. program (on campus or DE) for fall 2019 who are interested in pursuing a career in public child welfare and making a difference in the lives of children and families.
Important Information:
1. Application Materials

Applicants must complete the online application form and submit all required documents by the application deadline. Required documents include: two references, a current resume, the most recent field evaluation (if applicable) and a professional statement (requirements below). Application packets for the CWSP at VCU must be submitted by the deadline in order to be considered.

2. Screening and Selection Process

VCU Child Welfare Stipend Program Coordinator reviews and screens applications. Selected applicants are scheduled for required in person interviews which will be scheduled after their admission to the M.S.W. is confirmed. During the interview applicants are informed in more detail of the post-graduation commitments. Applicants are selected for the program based on a thorough review of application materials and an in person interview. Approximately 10 new stipends will be awarded for the 2019 - 2020 Academic year.

3. Student Notification and Acceptance of Stipends

Applicants will be notified in writing via email about the award decision in a timely manner after interviews are completed for each cohort of applicants. Applicants who choose to accept the financial award will be required to sign a legally binding contractual agreement obligating them to seek and obtain employment in a local department of social services in Virginia post graduation in foster care or adoption. This contractual agreement will be sent to applicants upon award notification. Applicants who choose to accept the stipend must submit the signed agreement to the VCU Child Welfare Stipend Program Coordinator along with a copy of their M.S.W. program acceptance letter to VCU and a copy of a valid Virginia driver’s license by the date specified by the coordinator in their award notification letter.

4. Important notes:

- Financial awards are communicated to the VCU Financial Aid Office. Acceptance of this stipend may affect other financial aid that you receive. Applicants must contact the VCU Financial Aid Office to determine the impact of the award upon eligibility for other financial aid awards.

- Monies awarded to student accounts are to be used to cover tuition first. If any monies remain in the student account they can be used to cover applicable fees only.

- Your application will be reviewed fully by faculty and community partners tasked with making a recommendation about your admittance to the program.

- Stipend recipients must verify identity and employment eligibility by completing Section 1 of INS Form I-9, providing the required documentation and submitting it to the VCU Child Welfare Stipend Program Coordinator as part of the application process prior to or at the time of signing the contractual agreement.

- If you are selected for an award, you will be required to complete a Request for a Search of the Child Protective Services Central Registry, a Criminal History Record Request, and an Information Request for the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles upon entering your field placement and upon obtaining employment in a state or local department of social services. A history of founded CPS complaints, criminal convictions, or poor driving record may be a barrier to field placement and employment in Virginia’s state or local departments of social services, and thus, may make you ineligible to receive the award if you are not accepted for a placement by a local department of social services. If you have concerns about your eligibility, please email the program coordinator at nrreddish@vcu.edu or call 804-828-0408 for more information. Failure to disclose this information or to report any change of status relative to conviction of a crime, any moving traffic violations, or a founded complaint of child abuse/neglect may result in dismissal from the Child Welfare Stipend Program and require your repayment of the financial award.

I have read and understand all application instructions and information. Please initial. *
Your answer
Last Name: *
Your answer
First Name: *
Your answer
Current Address: *
Your answer
Permanent Address: *
Your answer
Area of the state in which you plan to live and complete your field placements during your time in the M.S.W. program: *
Phone Number: *
Your answer
Emergency Contact: *
Your answer
Phone Number: *
Your answer
Fall 2019, I anticipate I will you be a full-time: *
Expected graduation date from VCU School of Social Work (month/year): *
Current field placement (if applicable):
Your answer
Are you a current Department of Social Services employee? *
If yes, name of agency:
Your answer
Current position:
Your answer
Do you have any geographical restrictions regarding where you can work post graduation? *
If yes, please explain.
Your answer
Required Document Submission Instructions:
The following documents must be submitted via email to cwstipend@vcu.edu by the application deadline to be considered. Your email submission will be acknowledged within 5 business days of submission.

VCU's Child Welfare Stipend Coordinator, Naomi Reddish, can be reached by emailing nrreddish@vcu.edu or by calling 804.828.0408.

1. Professional Statement
Submit your responses to the following questions on a separate document. Responses in total should be a maximum length of two - three pages. Responses will be evaluated on substance and writing skills; be thorough yet concise.

1. Why are you interested in working with families in the public child welfare system; specifically in foster care or Adoption?
2. What experience have you had in public or private child welfare, as a volunteer, student, or employee? How has that experience influenced you? If you do not have experience in child welfare, tell us more about what you understand to be the focus and importance of child welfare work.
3. Describe your immediate career goals. How will a social work education with an focus in public child welfare help you obtain these goals?
4. Working in public child welfare often means you are working in situations that will challenge you personally and professionally. How do you approach stress and stressful situations?
5. The Commonwealth of Virginia is investing significant resources to enhance the education and training of it's child welfare workforce. Tell us what you will add to the the child welfare workforce if chosen to participate in this program.

2. Letters of Reference
You must submit a document listing two references (name, position, contact information) from which we should expect to receive a recommendation for you. These two references should be from professionals, preferably one from someone who has supervised you in some capacity.

Please have each of your references complete a Reference Form for you by giving them this link to the online reference form https://goo.gl/forms/CAa9lo7IK6iETCV03

3. Current Resume
Please submit your current resume; include employment, volunteer, and field experience.
4. Most Recent Field Evaluation
Please submit a copy of your most recent field or internship evaluation if applicable.
A copy of your responses will be emailed to the address you provided.
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