BSW Child Welfare and Protection Track

The Child Welfare and Protection Track (CWPT) program will prepare 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). This is a voluntary program. However, students selected will complete their senior practicum internship at DCF, which will fulfill their practicum internship requirements and credits.

This partnership serves as a pipeline for students interested in working for DCF after completing their BSW program. Upon successful completion of the Spring and Fall semesters, students will be awarded a stipend/scholarship of $2,500: $250 provided mid-fall semester of senior year, $1,250 at the end of the fall semester of senior year, and $1,000 at the end of the spring semester of senior year.

Read about the first two students to graduate from the BSW Spanish-speaking track in UConn Today.

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

Application Process:

Complete the application requirements no later than November 19th.

Student Eligibility:

  • Have an interest in child welfare
  • 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

Student Requirements

  • Participate in the program track series of seven sessions (Spring Junior year, Fall Senior Year, and Spring Senior Year)
  • Complete a senior internship at a CT DCF office
  • Apply to the Connecticut Department of Children and Families upon graduation
    • Students will sign a DCF contract agreeing to work for DCF for two years upon successful completion of their degree and hiring process.
    • If the student is not hired within three (3) months of completion of their degree, the student's commitment to work at DCF shall be void and there shall be no request to repay the stipend. However, students who do not complete their BSW programs or do not remain employed with DCF for the stated two (2) years shall reimburse DCF for the full or prorated amount of the stipend within ninety (90) days of a demand for reimbursement by DCF.
    • 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.

DCF Scholarship Obligation

Students will need to:

  • Repay the DCF portion of the full $2,000 stipend if the two-year employment commitment (e.g. termination of employment by DCF or voluntarily leaving) is not fulfilled.
  • Return or repay the DCF portion of the full $2,000 if the student does not graduate and/or complete all requirements of this program.
  • 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.

      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)