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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 Pre-Service Training for new child welfare specialist training.

For further information regarding the Child Welfare Certificate program please contact Meon Stubbs @ stubbsm@michigan.gov or MDHHSChildWelfareTraining@michigan.gov.

 

Michigan Child Welfare Certificate Endorsement Program 2023

 

University

Approval Expiration

Andrew University

August 2028

Central Michigan University

August 2028

Eastern Michigan University

August 2028

Grand Valley State University

August 2028

Northern University

August 2028

Oakland University

August 2028

Sienne Heights University

August 2028

Saginaw Valley State University

August 2028

Wayne State University

August 2028

Western Michigan University

August 2028

University of Michigan

August 2028

Ferris State University

August 2028

Michigan State University

August 2028

Spring Arbor University

August 2028

 

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 16 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.