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Looking for a career in public child welfare? CWTAP may be right for you!

CWTAP offers hands on child welfare experiences, specialized educational seminars, clinical supervision, and tuition assistance to students accepted into the BASW/MSW program who are interested in working in public child welfare.

CWTAP:

  • Promotes professionalization and recruitment of social workers in public child welfare across Washington State.
  • Subsidizes the cost of the CWTAP student’s education.
  • In return, after graduation students will work for (DCYF) Child Welfare Program for an equal amount of time they received financial assistance.
  • Provides educational seminars, mentoring support and clinical supervision to accepted CWTAP students.
  • Offers professional development opportunities through the annual Student Institute.
  • Assists CWTAP students in gaining employment with DCYF Child Welfare Program.

Program Description:

CWTAP is a federally funded partnership between the University of Washington Seattle, the University of Washington Tacoma, Eastern Washington University, and the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) Child Welfare Program.

At UW Tacoma, CWTAP is offered to Senior BASW full-time students, 3-year Part-Time MSW students and to Advanced Standing MSW students. (see Eligibility and Admittance Priorities below) 

Students are required to complete a practicum (field education) which is an internship experience where students have the opportunity to apply classroom learning to practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and policy makers.

CWTAP students are placed in a local DCYF Child Welfare Program Office where they perform Title IV-E eligible activities, which include referrals to services, preparation for and participation in judicial determinations, placement of children, development of case plans, case reviews, case management and supervision.

CWTAP offers a comprehensive educational and practicum experience in Washington State’s public child welfare including:

  • Monthly full day seminars on public child welfare topics including:
    • Recognizing and investigating child abuse and neglect
    • Safety assessment, comprehensive family assessment and case planning
    • Permanency planning – reunification, guardianships and adoption
    • Racial Disproportionality and Cultural Sensitivity
    • Indian Child Welfare
    • Family Court Systems and Testifying
    • Forensic Interviewing in sexual abuse and serious physical abuse cases
    • Substance Abuse
    • Mental Health
    • Domestic Violence
    • Public Child Welfare Policy and Practice
  • Coordinated practicums with the Department of Children, Youth and Families for hands-on casework experience. This field experience focuses on public child welfare programs such as:
    • Child Protective Services (CPS) –Investigations and Family Assessment Response (FAR)
    • Family Voluntary Services (FVS)
    • Child & Family Welfare Services (CFWS) – out of home placement cases
    • Family Reconciliation Services (FRS)
    • Adoptions
  • Assignment of a CWTAP field instructor to support the student’s education and transfer of learning from the BASW or MSW programs to application in public child welfare.
  • Financial assistance for current and potential DCYF social workers.

Currently in Washington, there are three CWTAP programs:

CWTAP is designed for:

  • DCYF employees interested in obtaining a BASW or MSW to enhance their knowledge and skills in delivering services to families and children.
  • Students accepted into the BASW program or MSW program who are interested in making a career commitment to public child welfare.
  • DSHS/state employees interested in obtaining a BASW or MSW degree and making a career commitment to public child welfare.

CWTAP Eligibility:

  • Must be admitted into the BASW or MSW Program.
  • Must beat least 18 years of age.
  • Must have a valid US driver's license and a minimum of two years of driving experience.
  • Must successfully complete a background check which includes a check of the Department of Children Youth and Family's records regarding reports of child abuse and neglect.
  • Must maintain status as a citizen or as a permanent resident of the United States of America (U.S) during participation in CWTAP, including the Service Obligation Period.

Student Institute

The Annual CWTAP Student Institute is a collaboration of the Child Welfare Training & Advancement Programs from all three participating universities (Eastern Washington University, University of Washington Seattle, and University of Washington Tacoma) and the Department of Children, Youth and Families.

The Institute provides student-centered learning and networking opportunities in an atmosphere of mutual support and peer education. Students present on topics that directly relate to professional child welfare practice and the mission and goals of the Department of Children, Youth and Families. The Institute also offers opportunities for collaboration and networking with some of the State's most highly-regarded leaders in child welfare.