Fort Valley State University (FVSU) School of Social Work is the most recent public institution to participate in Georgia’s Public Child Welfare Training and Education Program, or Title IV-E. It joins six other public universities in the state that provide educational opportunities for Bachelor and Master social work students wanting a career in public child welfare. Upon graduation, new graduates are guaranteed employment at a Division of Family and Children Services office in Georgia.
FVSU has offered a Bachelor of Social Work program in middle Georgia for more than 50 years. Currently, there are 95 students with declared majors in social work, 4 of whom are enrolled in the Title IV-E program. Students enrolled in the program means they can gain the skills and knowledge to work in child welfare to address critical issues as child abuse and neglect, foster care, and adoptions. FVSU’s social work program director, Gloria Cisse, shared, “FVSU, through Title IV-E participation, is allowed to contribute to the State’s effort to ensure that educated, well-trained social workers are ready to go to work with Georgia’s families.”