Family and Child Welfare Training and Research Project
The Family and Child Welfare Training and Research Project, is a joint partnership between the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) and the New Mexico State University School of Social Work. This partnership is funded with federal monies available through the Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program of the Social Security Act and other funding sources. The Family and Child Welfare Training and Research Project serves to both increase the number of social work graduates who seek employment with CYFD and to provide training for CYFD staff, foster and adoptive parents and community providers. The Family and Child Welfare Training and Research Project is an excellent example of how programs of professional education can serve to reinforce, strengthen and promote the work of vital state agencies dedicated to the protection and advancement of children in their families.
In partnership with Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), the School of Social Work provides skill based child welfare training, plus sponsors the annual foster parents conference, adoptive families conferences, independent living youth conference and is a co-sponsor of the annual Children's Law Instititue. The specific topics, presenters, and facilities for the training are selected jointly by NMSU and CYFD. Training is designed to develop and enhance the workers skills to promote permanency, well-being and safety for successfully working with children and families in CYFD. The Family and Child Welfare Training and Research Project also provides assistance to students and CYFD employees in preparation for taking licensure examinations. This assistance is provided through a workshop format utilizing speakers with expertise in exam taking and content areas addressed in the licensing examination. Licensing information is available at the State of New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department Board of Social Work Examiners site.
The Child Welfare Scholar Program
One component of the project is to educate social workers at the BSW and MSW levels interested in serving the families and children of New Mexico who are at risk of abuse and/or neglect. The primary goal of the scholar program is to increase the number of BSW and MSW degreed social workers to provide services to children and their families who are clients of CYFD throughout the state of New Mexico. To reach this goal, the Child Welfare Scholar Program provides funds to students enrolled in the School of Social Work who demonstrate a commitment to work for CYFD upon completion of their academic studies. (Insert 2009 -2010 application here).
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: To be considered for the scholar program, a student must:
• Be accepted and enrolled in the BSW or MSW program. Demonstrate a willingness to be contractually obligated to work for CYFD for a specified period of time after graduation as payback for the funds received as a scholar: MSW and BSW full-time students will have an 18 months per full academic year for which funds were received, 12 months payback per academic year for Part-Time MSW students, and 9 months payback per semester for both MSW and BSW students.
• Be willing to accept CYFD employment in counties where there is the greatest need for qualified social workers. The student also understands that if the work commitment is not met, the student is responsible for repayment of the funds received as a scholar in the time they would have had to complete their employment payback.
• Complete a Child Welfare Scholar Program Application, and include an updated resume with three (3) professional references.
• Successfully complete a screening interview by a panel consisting of representatives from CYFD and the School of Social Work. Prior to awarding of funds as a scholar the student will have to successfully complete a CYFD background check.
SCHOLAR AWARDS:
Students who meet the above criteria may be awarded funds as a scholar to help defray educational expenses. Scholars are required to take child welfare related courses and must complete a one year field internship in a CYFD county office. Upon completion of the BSW or MSW degree, the scholars will then enter into employment with CYFD at various county offices throughout the state. Additional information and Child Welfare Scholar applications are available by contacting Monica Montoya, Child Welfare Scholar Program Coordinator at 575-646-4665 or by email at: monicamo@nmsu.edu.
Field Placement Interview Process:
• The scholar is required to meet with the Field Director or Associate Field Director to discuss interest and availability of a child welfare field placement and obtain necessary documentation to seek a field internship with Children, Youth, and Families Department—Protective Services.
• The Scholar will then interview with the Scholar Coordinator for a field placement with Children, Youth, and Families Department---Protective Services.
• If Scholar is initially accepted for a field internship with CYFD, the Scholar will then be required to attend a formal interview with CYFD Supervisors. Upon being offered a field placement opportunity with CYFD, scholar will be assigned to a particular unit and Social Worker to begin their field internship experience.
Once in field, the Scholar Field Instructor is responsible for:
• Providing at least one hour of supervision to the student
• Coordinating student assignments to various units within CYFD and unit staff
• Ensuring that “job shadowing” and “on the job training” is provided to each student to maximize the students learning experience
• On-going training on clinical and field issues for students
• Ensuring that all documentation for the field internship is completed in a timely manner by the student during their field internship
• Participating in the Mid-term and Final evaluations with the student and CYFD social worker every semester.
This page was updated on July 27, 2009
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