THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
Child Welfare Education
Collaborative
Applicant Information
Packet
North Carolina Child Welfare
Education Collaborative
Collaborative 2012-13
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Financial Aid and the Child Welfare Scholar
Traineeship Stipend
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 education programs
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 traineeships to be taxable income. Consult a tax advisor for information about your
specific situation.
Scholarships
If you accept a 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). If offered scholarships or other types of financial assistance, consider
the option that best fits your situation and career goals.
Questions about the traineeship should be directed to the Collaborative office at the UNC-CH School of
Social Work: NCCWEC@unc.edu
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.
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Curriculum for Child Welfare Scholars
There are multiple opportunities for Child Welfare Scholars to prepare for careers in public child welfare.
Specific requirements and course offerings vary at individual schools. Social work program faculty at
universities can provide guidance to scholars to ensure their learning is focused and relevant. Listed
below are some of the opportunities available.
Child Welfare Pre-Service Training
The Collaborative has special permission, given by the NC Division of Social Services, to offer pre-service
training consisting of course work, field placements and other learning experiences. Students who
complete the approved curriculum at their school satisfy pre-service requirements upon graduation.
Specialized Courses
Each social work program that participates in the Collaborative has at least one course—required for all
scholars—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
Scholars are expected to incorporate a child welfare perspective in their other social work courses. When
given options about assignments, scholars 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
Scholars 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.
Concentration or Specialization
When MSW scholars declare a concentration in their programs, they are expected to select Families and
Children, or the equivalent. Scholars can focus on either direct (micro) or indirect (macro) practice.
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Field Placements
Scholars pursuing a BSW typically complete one field placement which must be in child welfare services
at a county department of Social Services (DSS). Scholars pursuing an MSW usually complete two field
placements at a county DSS. MSW students may occasionally be assigned to a site outside a DSS for the
first placement. Placements in sites outside the county DSS are considered exceptions. The Collaborative
will provide specific criteria for exceptions to DSS Field Placements. Scholars 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 scholars must have completed or enrolled in pre-service before beginning field
placement.
Other Learning Experiences
Individual social work programs may offer lectures, seminars, workshops or other learning
opportunities. Scholars 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, scholars 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.
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Child Welfare Scholar Performance Expectations
As a Child Welfare Scholar, 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
 You are expected to maintain good
academic standing in your social work
program. Your program can provide you
with the general expectations for good
academic standing.
 In addition to your social work program
expectations, general expectations for
Scholars include:

Maintain a GPA of 2.5 overall and a 3.0
in the major (BSW Students).

Receive no grade lower than “B” or
lower than “P” (MSW Students).

Incomplete grades are resolved
appropriately.

Perform satisfactorily in Field
Placement, using the assessment
standards of the social work program.

Comply with all relevant codes of
student conduct.

Comply with the NASW Social Work
Code of Ethics.

Participate in all required
Collaborative activities

Continue to demonstrate an interest in
child welfare and willingness to
comply with the terms of the contract
with the Collaborative.
Indicators of Unsatisfactory Progress
 Unsatisfactory progress includes, but is not
limited to, the following:

Academic probation.

Violation of codes of student conduct
or the NASW Social Work Code of
Ethics.

Self-assessment and/or faculty
assessment that your strengths as a
social worker may be better used in a
different field of practice, i.e., not a
good “fit” with child welfare practice.

Lack of communication with
Collaborative personnel about
continuation plans.
 The following indicators may lead to
Program review of student progress by the
Collaborative:

Two or more incomplete grades in a
semester.

Grades below the standards for
Satisfactory Performance.
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.
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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, and
DWI/DUI. The majority of our field agencies require criminal background checks before you can begin
your field practicum. It is critical that issues involving criminal background charges 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 be in a strong position in order to be hired after 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 Scholar.
Driving History
Inform the Collaborative of any past or current motor vehicle violations that have increased the points on
your insurance record. Also inform the Collaborative of any new points to your driving record or any
accidents that occur while you are a Child Welfare Scholar.
Updates/Changes to Background Checks and Driving History
Inform the Collaborative if the status changes in regard to either your driving history or criminal charges
while you are a Child Welfare Scholar, or your employer if you are in repayment, as these changes may
have a bearing on either your field practicum or employment as a requirement of your payback
obligation.
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Student Appeal Information
As a Child Welfare Scholar you may have questions, concerns, or complaints about your responsibilities
and obligations. If you have a complaint, you may file an appeal in order to initiate a formal review
process. To be most effective, appeals should be filed in a timely manner.
The major steps in the Appeal Process are outlined below. Please contact the Collaborative Office if you
wish to have more detailed information. This process applies only to your participation in the NC Child
Welfare Education Collaborative.
1.
Prepare a letter describing the situation leading to the appeal, what steps have been attempted to
resolve the situation, and the type of relief you desire. Attach any documentation that may help
the Appeals Committee understand the situation.
2.
Submit your letter and supporting documentation to the NC-Child Welfare Education
Collaborative. To be most effective, your letter should be filed in a timely manner and dated
within 10 business days of the time you are notified of the decision you are appealing.
3.
An appeals committee will be convened. The committee will review your concerns and respond
to you within 15 business days from the date your letter was received by the NC-CWEC.
4.
If you are not satisfied and wish to pursue the matter further, you may file a Level 2 Appeal. The
Level 2 appeal should be filed within 15 business days from the time you are notified of the
Collaborative’s decision regarding your original appeal. Prepare another letter providing any
additional information and describing the reasons you believe the matter should be further
considered. Submit this material to the Collaborative Director who is responsible for sending
your material to the Level 2 appeal authority.
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