DCF Child Welfare and Protection Track Program (CWPT)

Deadline: December 15th

Applications now open! Apply here.

The Child Welfare and Protection Track (CWPT) program prepares Spanish-speaking BSW students with specialized knowledge and experience in child welfare and protection services to meet the needs of Connecticut’s Spanish-speaking families served by the state Department of Children and Families (DCF).  Students will receive a total scholarship/stipend of $4,000, paid in two equal installments after the successful completion of each semester of their senior year.

Students receive a Certificate of Completion for outstanding participation in the UConn/DCF BSW Child Welfare and Protection Track Program.
Students receive a Certificate of Completion for outstanding participation in the UConn/DCF BSW Child Welfare and Protection Track Program.

Read and view the NBC Connecticut story about the BSW Spanish-speaking track.

Student Eligibility

  • Have an interest in child welfare and be enrolled as a BSW junior in the current fall semester
  • Ability to speak Spanish fluently (Fluency is defined as the ability to converse with another person in a language other than English on a variety of subjects without much strain.)
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 and remain in good academic standing
  • Meet UConn and DCF’s internship requirements
  • Must have a valid driver's license
  • Commit to working at DCF upon graduation

Watch the videos below to learn more about what it’s like to work at DCF and hear directly from employees about what inspires them to stay, grow, and remain committed to this important work.

For more information, contact: sswstrategic@uconn.edu

For questions regarding DCF, contact: Kristine Rivera, LCSW  kristine.rivera@ct.gov

Student Requirements

Application Process

  • Complete the application and include the required documents.
  • Eligible applicants will be selected for an interview.

Program Requirements

  • Participate in the program track series of seven sessions (Spring Junior Year, Fall Senior Year, and Spring Senior Year)
  • Maintain a minimum 2.7 CUM GPA and remain in good academic standing
  • Successfully complete required background screenings, including CPS, fingerprinting, and driver's license checks, and complete a practicum placement at a Connecticut DCF office
  • Students will sign a DCF contract agreeing to work for DCF for two years upon successful completion of their degree and hiring process.

DCF Stipend Obligation

  • Return or repay the DCF portion of the full $3,000 if the student does not graduate and/or complete all program requirements.
  • Repay the DCF portion of the full $3,000 stipend if the two-year employment commitment (e.g., termination of employment by DCF or voluntarily leaving) is not fulfilled.
  • Notify the DCF Academy in writing within five (5) calendar days of any change in name or address, until the work commitment or stipend is fulfilled.

If the student is not hired within three (3) months of completing their degree, the student's commitment to work at DCF shall be void, and no request will be made to repay the stipend. However, students who do not complete their BSW program or do not remain employed with DCF for the stated two (2) years shall reimburse DCF within ninety (90) days of DCF's demand for reimbursement for the full or prorated amount of the stipend.

BSW graduates must complete the steps within the normal DCF hiring process. Should the student immediately apply to the Advanced Standing MSW program, DCF shall offer the student an opportunity to apply three (3) months after completion of the MSW degree.

 

    Watch the videos below to learn more about what it’s like to work at DCF and hear directly from employees about what inspires them to stay, grow, and remain committed to this important work.

     

    Student Commitment and Program Schedule

    The Child Welfare and Protection Track will require a total of 21 to 22 hours of work outside of the practicum internship: 17 hours of in-person sessions and 4 to 5 hours of preparation, reflection, and presentation. 

    Students will take notes during and after the seminar sessions and shadowing experience that will contribute to their final poster presentation, which will highlight what they learned while participating in the CWPT. If students wish, they can apply for a three-credit independent study in the spring of their senior year, which will count towards their elective credits. The independent study will consist of a portfolio of their work, including the final poster presentation.

    Schedule

    Spring/Summer of Junior Year

    • Seminar Session: Social Work History of Child Welfare and Protection Services (1.5 hours)
    • Seminar Session: DCF as the Largest Child Welfare Organization in the State of Connecticut (1.5 hours)
    • Experiential Shadowing: DCF Spanish-Speaking Social Worker Working with Latino Families (7 hours)

    Fall Semester of Senior Year

    • Seminar Session: Understanding the Diversity of the Latino Population(1.5 hours)
    • Seminar Session: Understanding the initial DCF intake assessment - conducted in Spanish (2.0 hours)

    Spring Semester of Senior Year

    • Seminar Session: Review of Poster Presentation and DCF Employment Process (1.5 hours)
    • Poster Presentation Session: Conducted by CWPT students (2 hours)

    Watch the videos below to learn more about what it’s like to work at DCF and hear directly from employees about what inspires them to stay, grow, and remain committed to this important work.