THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
Applicant Information
Packet
2016 - 2017
Collaborative 2016-17 (revised 04/2016)
Page 1
The NC Child Welfare Education Collaborative seeks to strengthen public child welfare services
in the State by increasing the number and diversity of well-trained and highly-committed BSW’s
and MSW’s in local departments of social services. Offering special educational opportunities
emphasizing public child welfare practice, the Collaborative partners with your social work program to
provide an educational process for selected social work students who want to seek employment in child
welfare in a North Carolina county department of social services.
Students selected to participate in the Collaborative must complete the approved child welfare
pre-service curriculum and coursework for your university and your field placement must be in
one of the core areas of child welfare services at a county department of social services. Core
areas are Family and Investigative Assessments, In-Home, and Placements services. The
Applicant Information Packet provides the requirements and expectations of the Collaborative
program. Please review carefully before submitting an application.
Collaborative 2016-17 (revised 04/2016)
Page 2
Financial Aid and the Child Welfare Scholar
Traineeship Stipend (if funding is available)
North Carolina Child Welfare Scholars receive a traineeship stipend. The stipend is a payment
given to eligible scholars who commit to working in North Carolina public child welfare after
graduating from a participating BSW or MSW program. Accepting the stipend may affect a
student's financial aid package and taxes. To understand the ramifications of receiving a
stipend, the Collaborative encourages eligible scholars to consult their financial aid officers and
tax advisors. Neither social work departments nor individual instructors are qualified to answer
financial questions. If you are considering accepting a traineeship stipend, be sure you
understand the implications listed below.
Maximum Amount You Are Eligible to Receive
Each university limits the amount of money that any student may receive for a given school
year. If the stipend causes you to exceed this amount, other loans and scholarships may be
denied or reduced. Any loans and scholarships received before the traineeship stipend
becomes available may need to be repaid.
Taxes
The IRS considers traineeship stipends to be taxable income. Consult a tax advisor for
information about your specific situation. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will
issue an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 1099. The 1099 reports the traineeship stipend to
IRS as income.
Scholarships
If you are offered scholarships or other types of financial assistance by your University, consider the
option (financial aid package or child welfare traineeship) that best fits your situation and career goals.
Scholarships do not typically require specific employment from you when you graduate. If you accept a
Collaborative traineeship stipend, you are required to work in public child welfare for six months for
each semester you accept the traineeship, with a minimum of one year of work required (even if you
only receive funding for one semester).
Questions about the traineeship should be directed to the Collaborative office at the UNC-CH School of Social
Work. Rules and policies governing the Child Welfare Traineeship are established by the North Carolina Child
Welfare Education Collaborative with guidance from the funding agency, the NC Division of Social Services.
Collaborative 2016-17 (revised 04/2016)
Page 3
Curriculum for Child Welfare Scholars & Waiver Students
There are multiple opportunities for Child Welfare Scholar and Waiver students to prepare for careers in public child
welfare. Specific requirements and course offerings vary at individual schools, but all Scholars and Waiver students
will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the field of child welfare upon graduation. Social work
program faculty at universities can provide guidance to Scholars and Waiver students to ensure their learning is
focused and relevant. Listed below are some of the opportunities available.
Child Welfare Competencies
Participation in the Collaborative includes learning activities designed to address specific child welfare competencies.
The Collaborative has special permission, given by the NC Division of Social Services, to integrate State-mandated
child welfare pre-service training competencies into the social work curriculum. This is done through course work,
field placements and other learning experiences. Students who complete the approved curriculum at their university
satisfy North Carolina’s child welfare pre-service requirements upon graduation. This certification is valid for two (2)
years after graduation.
Specialized Courses
Each social work program that participates in the Collaborative has at least one course—required for
all Child Welfare Collaborative Scholars and Waiver students—focusing on child welfare practice. Social
Work program faculty at your school can provide more information about what courses are available
to you.
Other Social Work Courses
Child Welfare Collaborative Scholars and Waiver students are expected to incorporate a child welfare
perspective in their other social work courses. When given options about assignments, Collaborative
students should make choices that enhance their knowledge and skills for child welfare practice. For
example, a paper for a social welfare policy class might focus on child welfare policy.
Electives
Child Welfare Collaborative Scholars and Waiver students should select electives to enhance
understanding of public child welfare. Topics that may be appropriate include: social work with groups,
domestic violence, substance abuse, supervision, and consultation.
Field Placements
Child Welfare Collaborative Scholars and Waiver students pursuing a BSW typically complete one field
placement which must be in child welfare services at a County Department of Social Services (DSS).
Collaborative Scholars and Waiver students pursuing an MSW usually complete two field placements at
a county DSS. Collaborative Scholars and Waiver students pursuing an MSW in the Advanced Standing
track complete only one placement. This placement must be in child welfare services at a county DSS.
All Collaborative students must have completed or be enrolled in the specialized child welfare course
(for credit) or an approved alternative before beginning field placement.
Other Learning Experiences
Individual social work programs may offer lectures, seminars, workshops or other learning
opportunities. Child Welfare Collaborative Scholars and Waiver students are expected to participate in
all child welfare educational opportunities available to them through their school. We encourage you
to take advantage of appropriate training activities or conferences that may occur during the year.
Additionally, Collaborative students are eligible to take training offered by the NC Division of Social
Services Child Welfare Training System. The training calendar can be found online at
www.dhhs.state.nc.us/dss/childrensservices/training/index.htm
Collaborative 2016-17 (revised 04/2016)
Page 4
Concentration or Specialization
When MSW Child Welfare Collaborative Scholar and Waiver students declare a concentration in their
programs, they are expected to select Families and Children, or the equivalent. Collaborative students may
focus their studies on either direct or indirect (macro) practice. However, upon graduation, all Child
Welfare Education Collaborative Scholars are required to work in child welfare services in either a direct
practice position or in a position supervising direct practice social workers in a county Department of
Social Services in North Carolina. Your plan of study should reflect your career objectives, consider your
work history, and meet the program requirements of the Collaborative.
Collaborative 2016-17 (revised 04/2016)
Page 5
Child Welfare Collaborative Scholar and Waiver Student
Performance Expectations
As a Child Welfare Collaborative Scholar or Waiver student, your performance will be reviewed each
semester. This may include review of your grades and your status in field placement. Your continued
participation in the Collaborative is contingent on your satisfactory progress as described below. At the
end of each academic year, you will be asked to submit a formal continuation request.
Indicators of Satisfactory Progress
Indicators of Unsatisfactory Progress
 You are expected to maintain good
 Unsatisfactory progress includes, but is not
academic standing in your social work
limited to, the following:
program. Your program can provide you
 Academic probation.
with the general expectations for good
 Violation of codes of student conduct
academic standing.
or the NASW Social Work Code of
 In addition to your social work program’s
Ethics.
expectations, general expectations for
 Self-assessment and/or faculty
Collaborative students include:
assessment that your strengths as a
 Maintain a GPA of 3.0 in the major.
social worker may be better used in a
 Incomplete grades are resolved
different field of practice, i.e., not a
appropriately.
good “fit” with child welfare practice.
 Perform satisfactorily in Field
 Lack of communication with
Placement, using the assessment
Collaborative personnel about
standards of the social work program.
continuation plans.
 Comply with all relevant codes of
student conduct.
 The following indicators may lead to
 Comply with the NASW Social Work
Program review of student progress by the
Code of Ethics.
Collaborative:
 Participate in all required
 Two or more incomplete grades in a
Collaborative activities
semester.
 Continue to demonstrate an interest in
 Grades below the standards for
child welfare and willingness to
Satisfactory Performance.
comply with the terms of the contract
with the Collaborative.
You will be asked to sign a release of information authorizing the Collaborative to access your student
files or consult with social work program faculty at your school, as needed, in order to review your
performance and make a determination about your continued participation in the Collaborative. You
will be notified in writing if the review indicates unsatisfactory progress. If you believe this
determination is incorrect, you may file a written appeal with the Collaborative. This appeal must be
filed no later than 10 business days after the date of the written notification.
Collaborative 2016-17 (revised 04/2016)
Page 6
Criminal and Driving History
This provides pertinent details relating to the North Carolina Child Welfare Education Collaborative
(NCCWEC) application, field practicum and subsequent employment in a North Carolina Department of
Social Services (DSS) Child Welfare unit.
The NCCWEC application and the State of North Carolina Application for Employment both request
information regarding unlawful offenses and driving history, which may affect selecting you as a
Collaborative Scholar and your future employment in child welfare. Areas of particular concern are
criminal allegations/charges involving harm to children, domestic violence allegations/charges, speeding
violations, and DWI/DUI. The majority of our DSS field agencies require criminal background checks
before you can begin your field practicum. It is critical that issues involving criminal background charges,
convictions and driving history be openly discussed during your application process in order to guide you
through this selection process. Additionally, the assessment of criminal background and driving history
applies in the employment process and is a requirement to maintaining employment at most DSS
agencies. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you are honest and open when providing
information regarding any criminal history, as this may ultimately affect your ability to be hired by an
agency post-graduation.
Criminal Background Check
Inform the Collaborative of any past or current criminal charges or convictions that may be reflected in a
criminal background check. Also inform the Collaborative of any new charges that occur while you are a
Child Welfare Collaborative Scholar or Waiver student.
Driving History
Inform the Collaborative of any past or current motor vehicle violations that have increased the points
on your automotive insurance record. Also inform the Collaborative of any new points to your driving
record or any automobile accidents that occur while you are a Child Welfare Collaborative Scholar or
Waiver student.
Updates/Changes to Background Checks and Driving History
Inform the Collaborative if your status changes with regard to either your driving history or criminal
charges while you are a Child Welfare Collaborative Scholar or Waiver student or while you are in
employment payback status. These changes may have a bearing on either your field practicum or
employment as a requirement of your payback obligation.
Drug Screening
Many County Departments of Social Services (DSS) have instituted mandatory and/or random drug
screening for any personnel working in the agency. A positive screen for illegal drugs can result in denial
Collaborative 2016-17 (revised 04/2016)
Page 7
of opportunities for Field placement in a DSS agency and or termination of employment. Please inform
the Collaborative if you encounter issues related to this screening.
Collaborative 2016-17 (revised 04/2016)
Page 8
Guidelines for an Advanced Standing Deferral
The following information is to be used as guidance for BSW Child Welfare Scholars who may be
interested in applying for an Advanced Standing MSW program and want to request a deferral of
employment or repayment obligation. If you are interested in Advanced Standing, we encourage you to
apply to become an MSW Child Welfare Education Collaborative (CWEC) Scholar.
As a BSW Collaborative Scholar, you must:



Be eligible for Advanced Standing status at an MSW program in North Carolina.
Be in good standing with your Collaborative program at the time of graduation. Students who
have withdrawn from the Child Welfare Scholar Program are not eligible for a deferral.
Indicate a continued interest in the practice of public child welfare. It is the ethical
responsibility of the student to disclose intentions regarding practice in public child welfare. A
minimum indicator of continued interest is the intent to apply to the Collaborative as either a
scholar or waiver student in your MSW program.
Some information to consider:




You may defer your employment obligation for one year if you are entering an Advanced
Standing Program in North Carolina.
Your pre-service training certification is valid for 2 years following your BSW graduation date. If
your MSW program takes longer than two years and you do not participate as an MSW Scholar
you will be required to repeat pre-service training. If you receive an Advanced Standing Deferral,
it is unlikely that you will qualify for a second deferral since your child welfare pre-service
training certification will expire during a second deferral.
You will be expected to begin work when you complete your MSW Program.
If you participate as an MSW Child Welfare Scholar, your employment commitment will be
extended by at least a year.
Deferral Process and Procedures

We will give you an Advanced Standing Verification Form when you graduate. To activate your
deferral, you will need to complete the form, have it signed by a faculty member at your MSW
program and return the form to the Collaborative. A copy of the deferral form is available at the
Collaborative Sakai site.
Exception: Two-Year MSW Program
You may be eligible for a deferral while attending a two year program in North Carolina under the
following conditions:
 You first applied for Advanced Standing Status but were offered instead a seat in the 2 year
program.
 You must continue with the Collaborative as either a Scholar (funded) or Waiver (non-funded)
student. Continued involvement with the Collaborative will extend the pre-service certification
so that you remain eligible to work in child welfare to satisfy your Student Agreement.
Collaborative 2016-17 (revised 04/2016)
Page 9
North Carolina Child Welfare Education Collaborative
STUDENT SERVICE AGREEMENT for FISCAL YEAR 20xx-20xx
Bachelor of Social Work Student
Master of Social Work Student
The Agreement, entered into on the last date written below, by and among the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill (hereinafter “UNC-CH”) for and on behalf of its School of Social Work and its Child
Welfare Education Collaborative Central Office (hereinafter “Central Office”), and Student name
(hereinafter, “Student”).
W I T N E S SET H
WHEREAS, pursuant to an agreement with the State of North Carolina Department of Health and Human
Services, Division of Social Services, the UNC-CH Child Welfare Education Collaborative Central Office is
responsible for the administration of the NC Child Welfare Education Collaborative Program (hereinafter
“Program”); and
WHEREAS, Student desires to participate in the Program, Student has been accepted into the Program,
and is pursuing a course of study in social work at an eligible university participating in the Program
(hereinafter “University”) with a goal of earning the degree indicated above.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the following mutual promises, covenants,
and conditions, UNC-CH and Student agree as follows:
I. RESPONSIBILITIES OF UNC-CH:
UNC-CH agrees that it will:
1. If Student is a BSW student as indicated above, directly provide Student with a $x,000 award for
each year ($x,000/semester) that he/she participates in the Program up to two academic
semesters, contingent upon continued availability of funds and Student’s satisfactory progress
(as set forth in Section I.8 below) in the Program.
2. If Student is an MSW student as indicated above, directly provide Student with an $x,000 award
($x,000/semester) for each year that he/she participates in the Program up to three academic
years, contingent upon continued availability of funds and Student’s satisfactory progress (as set
forth in Section I.8 below) in the Program.
3. If funding is available, provide supplemental support to students for school related expenses
such as travel, books, or summer school tuition.
4. Collaborate with Student’s University to ensure that Student is provided appropriate curricula
and assigned to required field placements in public child welfare and related services in
accordance with the NC-DSS Program requirements.
Collaborative 2016-17 – Sample Document for Orientation Discussion
Page 10
5. Assist Student in satisfying the requirement that he/she secure employment in a child welfare
setting in a North Carolina County Department of Social Services (DSS) by providing information
about job openings and application processes. The parties understand that it remains the
Student’s obligation to secure qualifying employment.
6. Collaborate with Student’s University to assess whether Student is performing satisfactorily in
the Program, consistent with applicable provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act and applicable regulations there under (“FERPA”).
7. Suspend or terminate award payments and reimbursements if Student is not performing
satisfactorily in the Program. Satisfactory progress will be determined solely by the Program
and reviewed by the Program on a semester basis.
a. If the Program decides that Student is not performing satisfactorily because of a correctable
problem, UNC-CH may suspend award payments and reimbursements until the problem is
corrected. The Program will notify Student of such suspension prior to such action. In the
event the award payments and reimbursements are suspended under this subsection during
a term, any payments already made pursuant to this Agreement for that semester shall be
repaid by Student if Student does not correct the problem. If the problem is not corrected,
Student’s participation in the Program shall be terminated, and Student shall begin
repayment according to the terms of Section III of this Agreement, upon graduation or
cessation of enrollment in the University, whichever is earlier.
b. If the Program decides that Student is not performing satisfactorily in the Program for any
other reason than a correctable problem, the Program reserves the right to terminate
Student’s participation in the Program and cease all award payments and reimbursements.
The Program will notify Student of such termination prior to such action. In the event
Student is terminated under this subsection during a term, any payments made pursuant to
this Agreement for that semester shall be repaid by Student according to the terms of
Section III of this Agreement, upon graduation or cessation of enrollment in the University,
whichever is earlier.
8. Student shall have the right to appeal a decision of suspension or termination under this section
as set out in Section VI.
II. RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENT
As a participant in this Program, Student agrees:
1. To take and satisfactorily complete the courses, training, seminars, and field placements
designated by the Program, maintaining satisfactory performance as determined by the
Program in the field placement and in the University’s academic program. The Program shall
provide Student with information on what constitutes satisfactory progress.
2. Unless this requirement is specifically waived by the Program in writing, to use his/her own
automobile as necessary for field placement and to have a valid driver’s license and auto liability
insurance. Student agrees and understands that Student is solely responsible for any and all
liabilities that may arise from Student's use and operation of his/her automobile while engaged
in and within the scope of activities under this Agreement.
Collaborative 2016-17 – Sample Document for Orientation Discussion
Page 11
3. If Student is currently a North Carolina County DSS or NC-DSS employee, to obtain a letter from
his/her Agency Director indicating that he/she has the support of the Agency to make
arrangements necessary for participation in the Program.
4. Subject to the provisions of subsections (a) through (d) of this Section II.4, to begin work for a
North Carolina County DSS Agency in a direct practice or direct practice supervision position in
child welfare services at least at a level appropriate to an individual newly graduated from the
degree program indicated above within six (6) months after graduation. Student must render six
(6) months of continuous and satisfactory full-time employment for each semester of the award.
In all cases Students shall render at least one (1) year of eligible employment. Upon request by
the Program, Student must verify such employment. Student understands and agrees that:
a. Student must conduct a good-faith statewide search for any qualifying position.
b. Should no qualifying position in any North Carolina County DSS Agency be offered to
Student within two (2) months of a good-faith statewide search, Student may begin cash
repayment at that time.
c. Should Student not be offered a position within two (2) months of a good-faith
statewide search due to personnel system requirements, legislative budget cuts,
position freezes or other circumstances beyond the agency’s control, Student shall be
released from his or her commitment, upon approval of the North Carolina Division of
Social Services. This release from commitment shall only apply if all North Carolina
County DSS Agencies, NC-DSS and NC-DSS contract agencies serving IV-E eligible clients
are unable to offer positions for these specified reasons.
d. BSW Students wishing to enroll immediately after completion of the Program as
Advanced Standing Students in a CSWE-accredited North Carolina MSW program may
apply to the Collaborative Executive Director for a deferral of the payback obligation for
a period equal to the period necessary to complete the Advanced Standing Program, up
to a maximum of two (2) years. Deferrals under this section may only be granted to the
extent they are allowed under relevant federal law and regulations. Any such deferral
shall be conditioned upon Student’s agreement to new repayment terms.
5. To repay to the Central Office the dollar value of the service award and/or funds provided to the
Student for tuition, books, travel costs, as applicable and any other funds disbursed in
connection with Student’s participation in the Program and pursuant to this Agreement as
shown on the most recent Repayment Agreement and Note executed by Student (hereinafter
“Repayment Agreement and Note”)[plus interest, reasonable attorney’s fees, late payment
penalties and other costs and charges necessary for the collection of any amount not paid when
due as set out in the Repayment Agreement and Note]:
a. If Student is terminated from the Program for unsatisfactory performance; withdraws or
fails to participate in the Program; fails to graduate from the Program with the degree
indicated above; or fails to qualify for an appropriate child welfare position under
applicable State Personnel rules or County policies; or
b. If Student declines appropriate employment; voluntarily terminates such employment;
or is discharged under applicable State or County Personnel System rules for
Collaborative 2016-17 – Sample Document for Orientation Discussion
Page 12
unsatisfactory work performance or personal misconduct prior to completion of the
employment obligation. Unsatisfactory work performance and personal misconduct
include but are not limited to poor professional work, a felony conviction, conviction of
a crime involving harm to children, improper conduct as described by State and/or
County Personnel System, and violations of the National Association of Social Workers
(NASW) Code of Ethics. Before imposing a financial payback requirement, the Central
Office will review the circumstances of Student’s case. As part of this review process,
the Central Office may seek information from and share information with the Program,
consistent with applicable provisions of FERPA. In some cases, depending on the
outcome of the Program’s review, Student may be permitted to change employment to
another qualifying position in another appropriate state or local agency.
c. If a financial payback requirement is imposed, Student shall comply with the repayment
terms set out in Section III of this Agreement. Student shall have the right to appeal the
imposition of a financial payback requirement under this section as set out in Section VI.
Where Student is no longer enrolled and an appeals body wishes to forgive both
Student’s financial repayment and work obligations, such a decision must be approved
by NC-DSS before it can be made final and have any legal effect.
6. To maintain a status that will qualify him/her to meet I-9 employment requirements throughout
the period of his/her participation in the Program, including the required post-graduation
employment period.
7. To notify the Central Office within 10 days if he/she is convicted of any criminal offense while
enrolled in the Program.
III. REPAYMENT
1. If Student does not graduate from the Program for any reason (including if Student participates
as a Student receiving financial support pursuant to this Agreement (hereinafter “Scholar”) for
any year or part thereof, but does not continue as a Scholar and graduate from the Program),
except as provided in Section IV hereafter, he/she shall repay to the Central Office the service
award, funds provided to the Student for tuition, books and travel costs, as applicable, plus
interest, reasonable attorney’s fees, late payment penalties and other costs and charges
necessary for the collection of any amount not paid when due as set out in the Repayment
Agreement and Note. However, if Student wishes to fulfill his/her contractual obligation by
completing appropriate employment as described in II.4 above, rather than cash repayment;
he/she may request authorization from the Central Office. Concurrent employment while still
enrolled as a student cannot count toward employment payback.
2. If Student, after graduation, fails to satisfy the employment obligation for any of the reasons
specified in Section II.5 above, he/she shall repay the service award and/or funds provided to
the Student for tuition, books and travel costs, as applicable, to the Central Office, plus interest,
reasonable attorney’s fees, late payment penalties and other costs and charges necessary for
the collection of any amount not paid when due as set out in the Repayment Agreement and
Note. The Central Office shall be responsible for securing billing for and collection of funds
repaid by Student.
Collaborative 2016-17 – Sample Document for Orientation Discussion
Page 13
3. Student must sign the Repayment Agreement and Note upon execution of this Agreement and
must sign an updated Repayment Agreement and Note each time funds are disbursed. The
Repayment Agreement and Note shall specify the total amount due, the interest rate to be
charged on the unpaid balance (8%) and the monthly payment schedule. In the event Student
signs any subsequent Repayment Agreement(s) and Note(s), each subsequent Repayment
Agreement and Note shall specify the total cumulative amount due. Repayment of such entire
cumulative amount shall begin no later than the fourth calendar month after a determination is
made that Student will enter financial repayment and continue for a period of time as specified
in the Repayment Agreement and Note. The terms of the most recent Repayment Agreement
and Note shall take precedence over any previous Repayment Agreement and Note.
4. Student’s failure to execute any Repayment Agreement and Note will cause the total amount
owed to become immediately due and payable in full upon Student’s graduation or cessation of
enrollment in the University, whichever is earlier. If Student does not pay in full under this
subsection, the matter will be treated as a past-due debt, official transcripts will be withheld,
the matter will be referred to the North Carolina Attorney General or a collection agency for
collection, and additional interest and late fees will be added to the amount due.
IV. STUDENT HARDSHIP, DISABILITY OR DEATH
1. If, because of personal hardship or documented temporary disability, Student interrupts his/her
studies and delays graduation from the Program, Student understands that he/she must notify
the Program and either request a deferral from the Central Office due to hardship or agree to
repay the award according to the repayment procedures in Section III of this Agreement.
2. If, because of personal hardship or documented temporary disability, Student fails to graduate
from the Program or if Student fails to render the applicable period of employment at an
appropriate agency, Student understands that he/she must notify the Program and either
request a deferral from the Central Office due to hardship or agree to repay the award
according to the repayment procedures in Section III of this Agreement.
3. In the case of Student’s death or a documented permanent disability that would prevent the
required employment, the Central Office may waive the employment obligation and/or forgive
repayment requirements upon approval of NC-DSS.
4. Student has the right to appeal the denial of deferral, waiver, or repayment forgiveness under
this section as set out in Section VI.
V. STUDENT INFORMATION
Student shall inform the Central Office of his/her current address and employment, as well as any
change in his/her name or address or employment until such time as Student’s employment obligation
has been satisfied or any amount he/she owes under this Agreement is paid in full or otherwise retired.
At the time of initial employment, and at the time of any subsequent employment until the employment
Collaborative 2016-17 – Sample Document for Orientation Discussion
Page 14
obligation has been satisfied, Student agrees to execute an Employment Verification Form giving
information about his/her employer and authorizing the employer to release information about his/her
employment status (and reasons for termination, if applicable) to the Program.
VI. APPEALS
The Program shall provide Student with a copy of Collaborative Appeals Processes prior to execution of
this Agreement. Student shall have the right to appeal decisions imposing a financial payback
requirement under Sections I, II, III and IV above. Student shall submit any appeals in accordance with
the appropriate procedures of the Collaborative Appeals Process. No repayment shall begin until a final
decision is made on such appeal.
VII. SEVERABILITY
In the event any provision of this agreement is found to be legally invalid, or unenforceable for any
reason, the remaining provisions of the agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
VIII. GOVERNING LAW
The laws of North Carolina shall govern the validity and interpretation of the provisions, terms and
conditions of this Agreement. The place of this Agreement, its sites and forum, shall be North Carolina,
where all matters, whether sounding in contract or tort, relating to its validity, construction, and
enforcement shall be determined.
Student understands that, should there be a change in the applicable federal laws and regulations
governing the funding of the Program, or federal or state interpretations thereof, such will take
precedence over the terms of this Agreement.
---------------STUDENT’S AFFIRMATION AND RELEASE OF INFORMATION:
I hereby attest that it is my sincere intent to use my best reasonable efforts to secure employment to
meet my obligations under this Agreement, and that I shall act in good-faith in all my interactions with
the Program and/or a county DSS agency in carrying out my obligations under this Agreement.
I hereby attest that I have never been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that would disqualify me
from service in a county DSS agency, nor any crime involving harm to children.
I hereby attest that I have never been discharged from employment at a county or other social services
agency due to violation of county code/merit system rules or violation of agency or professional codes
of ethics.
I hereby authorize the North Carolina Child Welfare Education Collaborative Program to verify these
attestations through any sources of information that are legally available.
I understand that it is mandatory for me to furnish my Social Security Number to the Central Office so
that The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill may fulfill its tax reporting obligations under North
Carolina law. In addition, unless I have struck through this sentence, I voluntarily consent to and
authorize my University to release my social security number to the Central Office, and billing and
collection agencies under contract with the Central Office, for purposes of billing me for repayments and
collecting any unpaid accounts.
Collaborative 2016-17 – Sample Document for Orientation Discussion
Page 15
Contact the Collaborative
As a Collaborative Scholar or Waiver student, there will be many points during each academic year when
you will have contact with faculty and staff in the Collaborative Office. The Collaborative Office is a part
of the UNC-CH School of Social Work. Collaborative faculty and staff responsibilities include:
 Student selection and orientation
 Student fund disbursal
 CWEC policy and curriculum development, approval, monitoring, and evaluation
 Student support
 Employment verification (post-graduation)
 Loan Repayment coordination (post-graduation)
 Data management
Collaborative faculty and staff work cooperatively with faculty and staff from all participating
universities to ensure that Child Welfare Scholars meet program requirements.
Collaborative Office Mailing Address
UNC-CH School of Social Work
CB #3550, 325 Pittsboro Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3550
General email address for the program: nccwec@unc.edu
If possible, please address your email to a specific person. See below for individual email
addresses.
Collaborative Staff
Director
Prof. Wanda Reives
wreives@email.unc.edu
Phone: 919-962-8982
Program Coordinator
Alycia Blackwell-Pittman
ablackwell@email.unc.edu
Phone: (919) 962-6437
Technical Support
Serena Fenton
sfenton@email.unc.edu
Phone:
Business Services Coordinator
Gwen Ricks
Collaborative 2016-17
gricks@unc.edu
Phone: 919-966-5465
Fax: 919-843-6398
Page 16