Who We Are

Title IV-E training and stipend programs across the US are vital to the recruitment, development and retention of trained social workers in the field of child welfare. The Title IV-E training provision of the Social Security Act, created as part of the Child Welfare and Adoption Assistance Act of 1980 [P.L. 96-272], requires the use of public funding to match the costs associated with professional development and the education of current and prospective employees to earn BSSW or MSW degrees.

Since the Colorado’s Child Welfare Stipend Program began in 1995, the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) has supported hundreds of child welfare workers by awarding millions of dollars in financial stipends to social work students interested in or already working in public child welfare in Colorado.

In 2010 a Colorado governor’s task force recommended 150 stipend scholars be funded each year to meet the needs of the state’s child welfare system.  The stipend program conducted its own evaluation of the program. Realizing the cirtical need for more qualified child welfare workers, the stipend program pursued additional federal funding to expand its support of stipend students.

In July 2021 the Stipend Program officially became the Colorado Child Welfare Scholarship Consortium (CCWSC). CCWSC will be housed within the Department of Social Work at Metropolitan State University of Denver but will continue to work together with our partnership Universities.

Participating Social Work Programs

• Colorado State University (CSU) Pueblo
• Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver)
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS)
• University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW)

CCWSC University & County Partnerships

We have county connections all over the state & are always looking to add more! Learn more about our partners & program!