Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the Siouxland Indian Child Welfare Traineeship Project: Developing Native BSW Child Welfare Workers for Native Families (SICWTP)?

SICWTP is a five-year project funded by the U.S. Children's Bureau, in collaboration with the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute. The Briar Cliff University (BCU) Department of Social Work was awarded the grant in order to…

·  address the longstanding issue of Native children being over represented in Siouxland’s child welfare system and Native workers under represented

·  provide student stipends to augment the costs of achieving the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree

·  enhance Briar Cliff University’s already strong child welfare curricula and university support programs to promote timely graduation of trainees

·  develop and increase the social work skill level, professional practice and leadership ability of the trainees

·  support retention in the child welfare workforce

·  continue the Siouxland community’s collaborative work designed to identify and overcome barriers to recruiting Native American child welfare workers trained in social work

What are the benefits and how many students are eligible for the traineeship funds?

Each selected student trainee will receive approximately $15,750, based on need, each academic year to augment the costs of tuition and fees. (Other loans, scholarships, and grants may also be available to cover the full cost of tuition, fees, and other expenses. The tuition for 2010-2011 is $22,719 and fees are $699.) An additional personal $150 stipend will be provided monthly (September – April) to each trainee to augment personal expenses. Funds are available to fund five students each year through academic year 2013-14.

Who is eligible to apply for the SICWTP stipends?

Anyone who is interested in pursuing the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree in the full time accredited program at Briar Cliff University and who meets the selection criteria listed below may apply.

What are the selection criteria?

The SICWTP advisory committee, representing area Native American tribes, Department of Human Services, Boys and Girls Home and Family Services, Inc., and the BCU Department of Social Work, will meet with selected candidates in a “family and tribal team meeting” to select trainees based upon the following criteria:

·  Academic Acceptance by Briar Cliff University - Applicants must be accepted by BCU.

·  Letters of Reference - Applicants will submit three references on the SICWTP Confidential Reference Form provided by Briar Cliff University Department of Social Work.

·  Agreement to Remain in Workforce - Applicants are expected to sign a contract agreeing to remain in the child welfare workforce for a time equivalent to the time of their financial stipend. For example, if a student receives the SICWTP stipend every year for two years, then the student must work in a child welfare agency for two years.

·  Tribal Enrollment - Priority will be given to applicants enrolled in a federally recognized tribe. Enrollment assures access to tribal assistance, which can be an important support to Native American students. If an insufficient number of trainee applicants are enrolled in a tribe, consideration will be given to non-enrolled and non-Native applicants who demonstrate a strong awareness or knowledge of Native heritage through their essays, team planning meeting, and letters of reference.

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Selection Criteria (continued)

·  Writing Skills - Applicants will submit an example of their writing in the form of an essay that explains the candidate’s commitment to Indian child welfare, commitment to Siouxland, and a credible plan for completion of the Bachelor of Social Work degree.

o  Commitment to Indian Child Welfare - Applicants are expected to explain in their essays why they are interested in becoming a social worker specializing in child welfare, and specifically Indian child welfare. (Note: Applicants are required to give permission for a criminal record and abuse background check. If previous life circumstances may hinder being employed in a child welfare agency the essay should explain the circumstances surrounding information that will be revealed in the background check and address how the earlier life experience will be a strength to the student’s future professionalism. For example, if a background check will reveal a previous DUI arrest, the applicant should describe treatment, recovery, and how the experience will likely serve as a professional strength in the applicant’s future.)

o  Commitment to Siouxland - Applicants are expected to describe in their essays their commitment to providing child welfare services in Siouxland - the three state area surrounding Sioux City, Iowa. Preference will be given to candidates who plan to work in Siouxland.

o  Credible Plan for Completion of Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Degree - Applicants are expected to describe in detail how they will manage the many daily life changes required for completion of the degree program at BCU. Completion of the BSW degree requires regular and consistent attendance at all classes; completion of numerous assignment deadlines; and completion of 450 hours of supervised, professional field experience during the senior year. The credible plan for completion of the BSW degree should minimally include anticipated changes in lifestyle during the time in school, supports that the student has put into place to assure successful completion of the degree, anticipated problems/challenges, and plans for addressing anticipated problems/challenges.

If you have questions about this program, contact:
Heather Craig-Oldsen, MSW, CSW
Associate Professor
Program Director and Chair of the Social Work Department
Briar Cliff University
3303 Rebecca Street
Sioux City, Iowa 51104
Phone: 712 279-5489
Email:
www.briarcliff.edu/socialwork

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