DEADLINE REQUIREMENTS
Required Courses
All Title IV-E students are required to successfully complete the following elective courses with a “B” or better:
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SW 4490/8490 Child Welfare Practice, Policy and Research (Offered in Fall)
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SW 4450/8450 Child Maltreatment Practice, Policy and Research (Offered in Spring)
*Note: Students must remain in good standing in the SSW to remain in the Title IV-E Program.
Field Placements
Title IV-E students are required to follow all GSU SSW program and field education policies and procedures as set forth in SSW Student Handbook and Field Manual, which can be found at http://socialwork.gsu.edu/field-education/field-manual-policies-procedures/.
Non-DFCS Students:
*Incoming AS–MSW students are only eligible for the program if they have successfully completed their BSW field placement at DFCS.
Title IV-E students who are not currently employed by the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) in a social services position are required to complete their field placement at DFCS. This practicum is to be “in a DFCS office working in direct child welfare service provision.”
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BSW students complete their field placement at DFCS in their senior year.
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Priority is given to DFCS/S.E.E.D. applicants in the MSW program. Non-DFCS MSW students will be considered based on the availability of spots after consideration of DFCS/S.E.E.D. applicants.
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MSW students complete their first-year placement at DFCS and their second-year community partnership field placement in a child welfare-related agency.
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MSW Part-time students would complete their first placement (in year 2) at DFCS and their second community partnership field placement (in year 3) in a child welfare-related agency.
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DFCS/S.E.E.D. Students
MSW Part-time students would complete their first placement (in year 2) at DFCS and their second community partnership field placement (in year 3) in a child welfare related agency.
Title IV-E students who are current DFCS employees with three years of experience with DFCS as a Social Services Protect and Placement Specialist (SSPPS) or higher may be approved for an administrative placement within DFCS or in an agency serving IV-E eligible children. However, the placement must fulfill all requirements of first and second year placements as outlined by the SSW.
Applying for Field
All students in the Title IV-E program are required to submit their Field Education Applications online at https://aysps.wufoo.com/forms/school-of-social-work-field-application/ by the due date specified by the GSU SSW Field Office. Title IV-E student MUST indicate that they are Title IVE students on their application so that a DFCS placement can be arranged.
DFCS Employment Obligations
All Title IV-E students are required to give one year of service for every academic year of Title IV-E Funding. DFCS employees are required to remain in DFCS for one year of additional service for every academic year of Title IV-E funding.
Students are required to seek and obtain employment at a DFCS office following graduation. They must be ready for employment 30 Days after graduation and officially hired in a DFCS office within 60 days following graduation.
*Three months prior to graduation: Non-DFCS students and students employed by DFCS in non-child welfare positions are required to submit the names of their 5 preferred DFCS counties for employment. Attempts will be made to match students with existing vacancies in their preferred counties. However, as indicated in the Student Agreement, if no vacancies are identified in preferred counties within 30 days of graduation, students will be placed in counties with the greatest need (anywhere in the state of Georgia). Students who refuse to accept available employment (i.e. they do not like the location) violates the Student Agreement and renders the student liable for the full amount of funds received through out the program.
Title IV-E Funding Payback
All students accepted into the Title IV-E program must successfully complete the program (including the completion of their employment obligation to DFCS following graduation) or they are required to payback all monies drawn from the program as specified in their Student Agreement. Examples include:
- Early withdrawal from the program.
- Early termination from the program due to academic or non-academic reasons.
- Failure to successfully complete required coursework.
- Failure to successfully complete required DFCS Field Practice training and activities (See field practice guide).
- Failure to secure employment with Georgia DFCS as a result of lack of effort on the part of the grant recipient.
- Failure to accept available employment opportunities upon graduation.
Criminal Record Clearances & Drug Screening
In order to ensure students will meet hiring requirements of DFCS once they graduate, all students accepted into the Title IV-E program must agree to participate and successfully complete the following clearances upon entry into the Title IV-E program and again upon DFCS employment:
- DFCS Criminal Background Check
- Fingerprinting (Live-scan)
- Drug Screening
Previous DFCS Social Services Involvement
Students are required to disclose any previous history with DFCS Social Services (see Student Agreement). If students have a previous history with DFCS that is deemed to disqualify them from DFCS employment, they will be ineligible for the Title IV-E program and required to payback any funds expended in accordance with the program.
Release(s) of Information
Since the Title IV-E program is a collaborative partnership between the GSU School of Social Work and GA-DFCS, all students participating in the Title IV-E program must agree to sign releases of information for GSU and DFCS to communicate as necessary. Necessary communication may include (but is not limited to) discussing personal and professional issues that are impeding a student’s performance in the educational setting and/or DFCS workplace or issues surrounding professional ethics and conduct.
Questions about the Title IV-E Program? Contact Simone Robinson via email at the link below.
Click the link below to apply through the Georgia Department of Family & Children Services.
Get information on your status in the program via the Georgia Title IV-E Education Program Portal.