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University Partnerships
The Michigan Department of Human Services is pleased to announce the Child Welfare Certificate in partnership with Michigan Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Educators, which consists of representatives from 22 accredited Michigan universities the Michigan Department of Human Services Child Welfare Certificate Program. This certificate program is embedded in the Michigan School of Social Work curriculum, and is targeted to prepare social work students to provide effective child welfare services.
This initiative also allows students to experience a 400 hour field placement in a MDHHS office, private child placing agency or tribal child welfare agency. This structured field placement will expose students to child welfare programs in an effort to prepare them for child welfare positions within the department.
Finally, students who complete their certificate programs will be able to waive portions of the standard Child Welfare Training Institute PSI new child welfare worker training.
For further information regarding the Child Welfare Certificate program please contact Leslie-Marie Montgomery at MontgomeryL2@michigan.gov or 517-241-8884
Endorsed Universities
Ferris State University
Michigan State University (both a BSW and MSW endorsed program)
Cornerstone University
Andrews University (both a BSW and MSW endorsed program)
Eastern University
Oakland University
Grand Valley State University
Saginaw Valley State University
Sienna Heights University
Spring Arbor University
Northern Michigan University
Marygrove University
Wayne State University
University In-Service Training Courses
All public and private caseload carrying child welfare staff, as well as those with specialized and supportive positions to CPS, foster care and adoption, must complete 32 hours of in-service training each fiscal year. Examples of supportive positions included in this requirement are: licensing workers, peer coaches, child welfare financial specialists, health liaison officers, educational planners, MYOI, juvenile justice specialists, Centralized Intake, and child welfare staff that are designated as MiSACWIS Local Office Experts. In addition, all first line supervisors who manage the staff described above must complete 16 hours of in-service training each fiscal year.
There are courses offered free of charge for department employees and contracted private agency child welfare staff on a first come, first serve basis. These trainings are hosted by the eight Michigan schools of social work with MSW programs. These courses are chosen to address trends in child welfare and build competency around the skills needed to be a successful caseworker. They are offered throughout the state and led by university professors, and other trainers who are experts in their fields. In addition to classroom training, there are always new online training opportunities being offered through the year.