Attendees gathered to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Colorado Child Welfare Scholars Consortium in St. Cajetan's, which featured awardees receiving recognition on stage.
When stakeholders from across Colorado gathered at St. Cajetan’s Center on April 25, it was more than just a celebration – it was a testament to three decades of commitment to Colorado’s children, families, and the professionals who serve them.
The 30th anniversary of the Colorado Child Welfare Scholars Consortium (CCWSC) honored a program that has quietly but powerfully shaped the state’s child welfare workforce since its founding in 1995. Former Metropolitan State University of Denver Department of Social Work chair Virginia Cruz brought the partnership to the school in conjunction with Art Atwell from Colorado Department of Human Services and ran the initiative for two decades. In addition to MSU Denver, the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social has been involved since the program’s start, with Colorado State University-Pueblo and the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs joinging in 2016 and 2021, respectively. Colorado Mesa University will join the coalition next year as well.
Today, as MSU Denver’s longest-standing grant-funded scholar initiative within the College of Health and Human Sciences, CCWSC has supported hundreds of social work students with financial assistance, hands-on training, and a clear pathway into a career dedicated to community well-being.
“For 30 years, this program has been about more than scholarships—it’s been about building a workforce grounded in resilience, empathy, and service,” said Lara Bruce, project director in MSU Denver’s Department of Social Work. “We’re not just celebrating the past—we’re investing in the future of child welfare in Colorado.”
A Workforce Pipeline with Purpose
At its core, CCWSC addresses one of the most pressing challenges in child welfare: workforce retention. Through partnerships with county and state agencies, the program provides students with up to $14,000 in scholarship support in exchange for a one-year commitment to serve in their placement community after graduation.
Since 2021 alone, the program has awarded $2.3 million in scholarships to more than 200 students, including 176 MSW Scholars, 35 BSSW Scholars, and 30 rural child welfare recipients. Each year, CCWSC funds 50–60 scholars across Colorado, and nearly half of MSW participants are already working in child welfare before they graduate.
“Child welfare is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also hard work,” said Kathy Clark of the Colorado Department of Human Services. “By giving students real-world experience and a gradual entry into the field, CCWSC helps them build the resilience needed to stay—and that consistency is critical for the families they serve.”
Clark emphasized that while urban areas often have deeper applicant pools, rural communities face unique challenges. Programs like CCWSC help plant roots, encouraging graduates to remain in regions where they’re most needed.
Success Measured in Careers—and Communities
For Stacia Schmied-Johnston of Arapahoe County Human Services, the impact of CCWSC is both personal and professional. Having been involved since 2008, she’s witnessed how the program transforms students into long-term assets within county agencies.
“Our biggest success stories are the scholars who stay,” she said. “Some of the students we placed years ago are still working in child welfare today. That’s how you know the program works—it’s creating careers with purpose.”
MSU Denver student Yubia Alvarez is poised to be one of those success stories. Set to graduate with her Bachelor’s in Social Work, Alvarez spent her internship with Arapahoe County’s Protective Services team. She credits the CCWSC program—and the supportive culture at MSU Denver—for helping her find her path.
“I came in with a very narrow idea of what child welfare was,” she said. “Now I see that it’s not just about child safety—it’s about supporting whole family systems, being a community advocate, and being part of a network that helps people when they need it most.”
Alvarez, who previously worked in early childhood education and human resources, first connected with CCWSC through a conversation with Program Director Lara Bruce. That interaction planted the seed that eventually led her to pursue social work as a career.
“There’s this perception that commuter schools lack community,” Alvarez said. “But I’ve found the opposite. My classmates and professors have been there through academic and personal challenges. That kind of support really makes a difference.”
With graduation around the corner, Alvarez hopes to continue with Arapahoe County in a full-time role. “I’m crossing my fingers,” she said. “But no matter what, I know this is the work I want to do. The CCWSC program helped me figure that out.”
Honoring Excellence
In addition to working sessions, the event also recognized outstanding contributions with the annual CCWSC Awards. View the full list of award-winners here, who follow in the footsteps of past honorees exemplifying dedication to child welfare and social work education.
Attendees, ranging from scholars and alumni to county partners and state leaders, shared stories over lunch, reflecting on how far the program has come and the collaborative spirit that sustains it.
Looking Forward
As child welfare continues to evolve amidst shifting societal needs and workforce challenges, CCWSC remains a beacon of effective, community-embedded workforce development. With MSU Denver’s deep ties to Colorado communities and a mission rooted in access and service, the program is well-positioned to drive impact for years to come.
“Metro State has always been about serving our community; this program is a perfect example of that mission in action,” said Schmied-Johnston, herself an MSU Denver alum. “It’s about lifting up students so they can, in turn, lift up families across Colorado.”
After 30 years, the Colorado Child Welfare Scholars Consortium isn’t just reflecting on its legacy – it’s charting the course for the next generation of child welfare leaders.
Read more about one alum’s experience in this RED story from 2018.
To learn more about the program and options for both students and site locations, visit the CCWSC website.