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Title IV - E Project
The Title IV-E Project at New Mexico State University, now named 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. 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 existing CYFD staff. The School of Social Work is proud of this partnership with CYFD. 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.
 BSW and MSW TITLE IV-E STIPEND PROGRAM
One component of the project is to educate 2004-05 Stipend Application (PDF)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 Title IV-E 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, Title IV-E provides stipends to students enrolled in the School of Social Work who demonstrates a commitment to work for CYFD upon completion of their academic studies.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Any student accepted into the BSW or MSW program at New Mexico State University and who is interested in a career in child welfare with CYFD. This includes part-time students and students who are currently employees of CYFD.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: To be considered for a stipend, a student must:
  1. Be accepted and enrolled in the BSW or MSW program.
  2. Demonstrate a willingness to be contractually obligated to work for CYFD for a specified period of time after graduation as payback for the stipend (18 months for each year of aid awarded).
  3. Be willing to accept CYFD employment in counties where there is the greatest need for qualified social workers.
  4. Fully understand that if the work commitment is not met, that the student will repay the stipend to CYFD in a timely fashion.
  5. Complete an IV-E application form.
  6. Successfully complete a screening interview by a panel consisting of representatives from CYFD and the School of Social Work.

STIPENDS: Students who meet the above criteria may be awarded stipends to help defray educational expenses. Students accepting stipends are required to take child welfare related courses. Stipend students must complete one year of field placement in a CYFD county office. Upon completion of the BSW or MSW degree, students then enter employment with CYFD at various county offices throughout the state.

Additional information and Title IV-E stipend applications are available by contacting Marsha Thayer, Title IV-E Stipend Coordinator at NMSU. Telephone is 505-646-8053 and email address is mthayer@nmsu.edu.

PERMANENCY PLANNING

proposed 2002-03 training scheduleIn partnership with Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), the School of Social Work provides 8000 hours annually (plus 80 hours of supervisory training) of skill based child welfare training, as defined and permitted by the Title IV-E regulations, to CYFD Child Protective Service employees. Training sessions are held in at least four locations throughout the state of New Mexico to approximately 1200 participants each fiscal year. The specific topics, presenters, and facilities for the training are selected jointly by NMSU and CYFD.

The permanency planning training is designed to develop and enhance the workers skills in the competency areas necessary for successfully working with children and families in CYFD agencies. Competency skill based training presently is focused on issues of mental health and substance abuse within families and their impact on children within those families. Issues regarding the safety of children are overriding themes in the permanency planning training.

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 test taking and content areas in the licensing examination. Workshops are planned for at least three locations in New Mexico.

Additional information about training is available by contacting Shelly Bucher, MSW, Permanency Planning Training Coordinator at 505-646-1277 or email at sbucher@nmsu.edu.
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