Eastern Michigan University (EMU) has joined the statewide Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend Program, an initiative led by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The program provides financial support to social work students who are preparing for careers in child welfare.
With EMU’s addition, eight universities in Michigan now participate in the program. The expansion is intended to address shortages in the child welfare workforce and strengthen services for children and families across the state.
“We are so excited to be able to offer the Title IV-E fellowship program in the School of Social Work, providing our social work students with both financial support as well as professional preparation for careers in child welfare,” said Sarah Shea, professor of social work at EMU and Title IV-E Primary Investigator and Program Coordinator. “This program is designed for students who are deeply committed to child welfare careers and supports the growth of a well-trained child welfare workforce in Michigan.”
At EMU, eligible Bachelor of Social Work students receive a stipend of $5,000 per semester for up to two semesters. In return, participants commit to working within Michigan’s child welfare system for up to 16 months after graduation. The university plans to expand eligibility to Master of Social Work students.
The effort at EMU was led by Sarah Shea and Jen Avery, a professor of nursing at the university. Avery commented on their preparation: “This was not a small undertaking, but it was absolutely worth the effort. Our students will now have access to financial support, specialized training, and real-world experience that positions them to make an immediate impact in communities with the greatest need.”
Since its statewide launch, 82 students have enrolled in the stipend program; 25 have graduated, with most now employed by MDHHS. Funding has increased from $1.7 million to $4.5 million as part of Michigan’s continued investment in strengthening its child welfare workforce.
The Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend Program is part of broader efforts aimed at recruiting and retaining professionals dedicated to serving children and families.
Eastern Michigan University offers more than 200 undergraduate majors and minors along with various graduate programs according to its official website: https://www.emich.edu/. The university began as a teacher training institution in 1849 but has since developed into a comprehensive public university recognized nationally for its academic programs across several fields such as education and health sciences (https://www.emich.edu/). Its campus combines historic architecture with modern facilities that support student success (https://www.emich.edu/).
James Smith has served as president of Eastern Michigan University (https://www.emich.edu/).
For further details about EMU’s School of Social Work or about the stipend program itself, interested parties can visit their respective websites.
