Program Background
The UConn School of Social Work has a longstanding partnership with the Connecticut State Department of Children and Families (DCF) to create a more diverse, professionally trained, master level public child welfare workforce. The DCF Child Welfare Workforce Training Program aims to build a pipeline for a professionally trained workforce to serve children and families involved with DCF. A cohort of up to five MSW students will receive a $4,000 scholarship and specialized classroom and practicum training to work at a Connecticut DCF office once their MSW degree is completed.
Program Requirements
Student Eligibility:
- Interest in child welfare
- Minimum 3.0 CUM GPA
- Individuals, Groups, and Families (IGFP) advanced year placement or advanced standing students (non-DCF employees)
- Hartford Campus students entering their advanced year in Fall 2026
- Online students entering their advanced year in Fall 2026
- Meet UConn and practicum agency requirements
- Spanish-speaking students preferred
Application Process:
- Complete application form and include a 2 page essay outlining your interest and/or experience in child welfare and working with diverse populations, an unofficial transcript, and a resume.
- Deadline: TBA
Eligible applicants will be selected for an interview with the program leadership team to determine acceptance to the program.
Student Requirements:
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 CUM GPA and remain in good academic standing
- Complete a background screening – CPS, fingerprinting, and driver’s license check, and practicum at a Connecticut DCF area office
- Enroll in one of the approved child welfare courses:
- HBEL 5381- Child Maltreatment: History, Theory, Prevention, and Intervention or
- SWEL 5318- Core Concepts of Child and Adolescent Trauma
- Accept a position for employment at DCF in Connecticut, if offered, and remain employed at DCF for two years
- If DCF employment is not offered or available within 3 months after graduation, graduates are not obligated to wait for a DCF position
- Return or repay the DCF portion ($2,000) of the scholarship if the requirements and the conferral of the MSW degree are not met
Scholarships are disbursed once grades are posted for the fall ($2,000) and spring ($2,000) semesters.
More Information
Questions: Contact sswstrategic@uconn.edu