Successful Student Recruitment for Public Child Welfare: Results From California's Title IV-E MSW Stipend Program Evaluation

Data on seven cohorts of MSW students revealed successful recruitment efforts of the California Social Work Education Center Title IV-E program to select students most suitable for work in public child welfare. Compared to non-IV-E students, racially diverse IV-E students were more committed to direct services and case management but not drawn to private practice. Unlike non-IV-E students, IV-E students preferred work with poor and at risk families, but not clinical clients. The IV-E students' future goals tended toward service, not career advancement. Additionally, a high percentage of IV-E graduates remain in child welfare at least three years post-graduation.