Colorado Child Welfare Scholars Consortium (Child Welfare Stipend Program)2021-2022 Scholar Application

First Time Recipient (BSSW or MSW)

Use this application if you have never received a child welfare stipend in Colorado.

All components of the child welfare scholars application are due by midnight on Thursday, March 4th, 2021. Late applications will not be accepted.

Note: The application process is 100% online! This document should be used to plan for all aspects of the application, including the essay questions, but should NOT be submitted as a

final application. Please follow the instructions below to submit your application.

Application Instructions:1. Apply to the applicable social work program (BSSW or MSW) at MSU Denver or DU.

New Students: You DO NOT have to have been accepted into the social work program to apply for the child welfare scholars program.

2. Complete the online application, essay questions and submit all required documents with your application.

3. Required documents (all documents listed below will be submitted electronically with your application):

a. Cover Letter (one page): A brief statement of the reason for your interested in the Scholars Program, a brief summary of the experiences and strengths you would bring to child welfare, and anything special you would like the committee to consider.

b. Résumé (one to two pages): Should include educational and work/volunteer experience(s). c. Letter(s) of Reference: Please use the applicable reference forms available on the MSU

Denver Scholars webpage. These forms should be uploaded into your application. i. First time applicant (BSSW or MSW): Two letters of reference are required and should

come from someone who is acquainted with your writing skills, personal qualities and your professional goals. If applicable, they should also be knowledgeable about child welfare.

ii. Second year applicants (MSW): Only one reference letter is required and should come from your current field instructor or county internship coordinator.

iii. County employees: One letter of recommendation MUST be from your current child welfare supervisor.

d. FERPA Form: Release of Confidential Student Record Information.

4. Provide a signature and date at the end of the electronic application. 5. Click “Submit” and a confirmation window will confirm your submission and provide additional

information.6. Once your application is received, the Child Welfare Stipend Coordinator may contact you for an in-

person or phone pre-interview. Selected candidates will be asked to complete an interview with panelist from the Colorado Child Welfare Scholars Consortium.

1Questions? Contact: childwelfarescholars@msudenver.edu or 303-605-7010.

I. STUDENT INFORMATION

Name: ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________ (Last) (First) (M.I.)

Student ID (800 or 900 #)_____________________(if known)

Telephone Numbers: cell: __________________ home: __________________

University Email: ________________________________

Additional Email:________________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________________

City: ______________________ State: _________ Zip Code: ______________

What University do you plan to attend in the 2021-2022 academic year? University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) I am applying to both and haven’t decided yet. Other, please explain:__________________________________

During the 2021-2022 academic year, I will be (select all that apply): ☐BSSW senior year student☐MSW advanced standing student☐MSW foundation (first) year student☐MSW concentration (second) year student☐Part-time student☐Full-time student☐Fully online student/MSW@Denver student (DU) This is my first child welfare stipend in Colorado This is NOT my first child welfare stipend in Colorado (check this option if you previously received a stipend from

DU-GSSW, CSU Fort Collins or Pueblo, or MSU Denver.

Are you currently a child welfare employee in a Colorado county DHS/DSS office? If yes, which county:

2Questions? Contact: childwelfarescholars@msudenver.edu or 303-605-7010.

1. Are you bilingual? ____ yes ____ no

2. Languages spoken: _____________________________________________________

3. Do you have legal status for employment in the USA per 8 U.S.C §1324a? ____ yes ____ no

4. Do you have a valid Colorado driver’s license? ____ yes ____ no

5. Do you have proof of automobile insurance? ____ yes ____ no

6. Your field placement and future employment are conditional upon a satisfactory criminal background check. Have you been convicted of any crimes as outlined in 26-6-104(7), C.R.S.? ____ yes ____ noIf yes, you may explain:

II. ESSAY QUESTIONS: Use the space below to draft your responses to the essay questions, paying close attention to spelling, grammar and identified word count. Copy and paste your essay responses into the online application. Essay responses will only be accepted via the online application.

Watch the Colorado Caseworker Realistic Job Preview video (24 minutes) and respond the following questions:

(if the above hyperlink does not work, copy/paste the following URL into your browser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWYG-Yj9dhE&feature=youtu.be)

1. Explain your general reaction to the video and why you are interested in child welfare. (Please do not exceed 500 words for this question.)

2. What skills do you think are essential for a child welfare worker and why? (Please do not exceed 500 words for this question.)

3. Describe what makes you a strong candidate to work in child welfare as a caseworker. (Please do not exceed 500 words for this question.)

4. What volunteer and/or paid experiences do you have in or related to the field of child welfare? 3

Questions? Contact: childwelfarescholars@msudenver.edu or 303-605-7010.

(Please do not exceed 500 words for this question.)

5. Please describe how you handle job stress and balancing intense work demands, emergencies, and completing tasks. (Please do not exceed 500 words for this question.)

6. What experience and skills do you have in working with diverse populations, which include but are not limited to: LGBTQ, socio-economic status, race, religion, etc.? (Please do not exceed 750 words for this question.)

7. What other information would you like the stipend committee to consider in reviewing your application? (Please do not exceed 500 words for this question.)

Have you reviewed the Program Announcement for the stipend program? ____ yes ____ no

Do you agree to all of the terms described in the Program Announcement? ____ yes ____ no

______________________________________ ___________________Signature of Applicant Date

4Questions? Contact: childwelfarescholars@msudenver.edu or 303-605-7010.