Laura Blodgett Senior Deputy Director, Communications Administration | Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Website
Laura Blodgett Senior Deputy Director, Communications Administration | Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Website
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has announced a new initiative in collaboration with five public universities to address the shortage of child welfare workers in the state. The program aims to provide financial support to social work students who commit to working in under-resourced communities after graduation.
Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director, stated, “I am excited about this partnership with our colleges and universities that will strengthen Michigan’s child welfare workforce. Supporting social work students financially as they prepare to enter the child welfare workforce is critical to the strong recruitment and retention of dedicated professionals. A program like this has the potential to attract highly motivated and capable students and ensure a workforce committed to protecting children and supporting families.”
The initiative is part of the federally funded Title IV-E Program administered by MDHHS, which seeks to increase the number of child welfare workers in high-need areas, including tribal, rural, and underserved populations. MDHHS has allocated $1.7 million for this effort.
Students participating in the program will receive a $5,000 stipend per semester if they agree to work in child welfare in Michigan post-graduation. The University of Michigan’s School of Social Work is managing logistics for the initiative. Other participating institutions include Central Michigan University, Michigan State University, Wayne State University, and Western Michigan University. Additional social work programs are expected to join later.
Prof. Kathryn Maguire-Jack from U-M commented on the program's impact: “The Title IV-E Fellowship will have a great positive impact on child welfare services across the state. Providing students with evidence-based information ensures that best practices will be applied, and children and families will experience positive outcomes.”
Amara Hagy from Michigan State University's class of 2024 shared her experience: “The fellowship helped me find a career working with at-risk youth, to which I will dedicate my life.” Elizabeth Crail from 2024 added: “I was able to form a community of other students who share my passions; the support and camaraderie helps make our work possible.”
For more information on Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Fellowships, interested parties can email marlamg@umich.edu.
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