University of Rio Grande is participating in the University Partnership Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program (UPP), a collaborative initiative aimed at bolstering the child welfare workforce in Ohio. The partnership brings together the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Ohio’s University Consortium for Child and Adult Services, the Public Children’s Services Association of Ohio, Ohio’s Public Children’s Service Agencies, and accredited social work programs statewide, in a united effort to strengthen support for vulnerable children and families across the state.

As a participant in the UPP, Rio Grande's Bachelor of Science in Social Work students gain access to an array of benefits designed to prepare them for careers in child welfare. Eligible students stand to receive up to $10,000 employment incentive upon successful completion with two years in the program and subsequent employment in an Ohio public child welfare agency. This program not only offers financial support but also specialized coursework and training in child welfare, ensuring students are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to make a positive difference in the lives of children and families.

Additionally, the UPP facilitates a "fast-track" pathway to full-time employment in the field, providing students with invaluable hands-on experience and individualized mentoring by the UPP coordinator and field instructors. Through early exposure and networking opportunities, students can specialize in public child welfare during elective coursework and field practicum in the year before graduation, laying the foundation for successful and fulfilling careers.

For more information about a degree in Social Work and the University Partnership Program, visit rio.edu/socialwork.