Social Work Program earns Child Welfare Project Funding

Central Michigan University’s Social Work Program is leading the way to increase the number of well-trained workers serving Michigan’s families and children.

CMU joins four other Michigan universities in a pilot program to address the shortage of child welfare workers with funding through a renewable State of Michigan Title IV-E Workforce Development grant.

The new initiative strengthens CMU’s ability to offer social work majors a path to earn a child welfare certificate (CWC), which is endorsed and regulated through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Students who qualify may receive funding as IV-E Fellows in exchange for a commitment to work in the field of child welfare upon graduation. 

Through the certificate, social work students receive additional training in areas essential for child welfare workers, including substance abuse disorders, suicide prevention, family violence, sexual abuse and crisis intervention. Students also take an elective course in child welfare taught by a social worker highly experienced in child welfare.   

MDHHS offices in all 83 Michigan counties are potential practicum sites. In addition, students may be placed in one of the numerous Michigan private child welfare agencies providing foster care and adoption services. The Child Welfare Certificate and the accompanying Bachelor of Social Work make graduates of the CMU program highly sought after workers. 

Social work graduates with the BSW have a wide range of other career opportunities, such as work in domestic violence, justice systems, substance abuse, community programs and political settings. The MSW offers additional opportunities, including school social worker, medical social worker, forensic social worker, therapist (clinical social work) and supervisor in child welfare programs. 

The Social Work Program is part of The School of Politics, Society, Justice and Public Service at Central Michigan University.