PUBLIC CHILD WELFARE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

“Do you have a positive, optimistic attitude toward working with families and children in crisis?” If you do than a career in public child welfare is for you.

What is PCWCP?

The Public Child Welfare Certification Program (PCWCP) has been implemented by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and eleven university social work programs in order to better serve the children and families in crisis in this state.

The goal of this program is to fill the ranks of Child Protection Workers with the most competent and well-trained workers possible. The Cabinet has coordinated this program with eleven universities within the state to offer BSW juniors and seniors, along with their academic program, the same training and information that is supplied in the first six months of employment with the Cabinet.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for this program, you must be a full-time BSW social work major. You must have:

• An overall cumulative GPA of 2.5.
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or a “B” average in all Social Work courses.
• At least three semesters and not more than four of undergraduate Social Work courses left to take. (Summer can count as one of your four semesters)
• Have taken a Social Work practice course prior to taking the second of two PCWCP courses.

An application selection process will be used to choose up to 10 full time-students each academic year.

What are the benefits?

1. Your tuition will be paid in full through this project for up to four semesters.
2. You will be given a $1300 per semester stipend to be used for your books, living expenses and travel related to this program.
3. Once you have completed this program, you will be certified as having successfully completed the Public Child Welfare Certification Program and qualified for employment with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Protection and Permanence Division.

What would my obligations be?

You will be obligated, by legal contract, to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family to seek and accept a position of employment within two months of certification and remain employed there for two (2) years.

For further information regarding this wonderful and exciting opportunity, please contact Pam Black, EKU (Richmond/Corbin) Site Coordinator at (859) 622-2279.

Anthony Goldson, EKU (Hazard/Manchester) Site Coordinator at (606) 487-3268.