Governor DeWine Announces Expansion of Program Strengthening Pipeline of College Students into Children Services Workforce
The expanded Ohio Child Protective Services Fellowship Program will allow college students to earn $15 per hour while receiving hands-on experience in children services
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—As part of Ohio’s efforts to build a pipeline of talent into the children services workforce, Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) Director Kara B. Wente today announced a $2 million investment to expand the Ohio Child Protective Services Fellowship Program.
Through the fellowship program, college students majoring in human services-related fields like psychology, family science, and sociology can apply to work part-time at county public children services agencies (PCSAs) – where they will receive valuable training and hands-on experience in these in-demand jobs.
At the start of 2023, one-in-five children services caseworker positions in the state were vacant. By the end of the year, another 20% of the remaining caseworkers had resigned. In 21 counties, turnover reached 40% or more, and nearly half of all caseworkers statewide (43%) had less than two years of experience. The fellowship program aims to reverse these trends.
“Research shows that when children services caseworkers leave their jobs, the kids they were helping often spend more time in foster care,” said Governor DeWine. “Expanding this program not only provides great learning and working experience for students who are striving to make a positive difference in our communities, it also ensures that our most vulnerable children and families continue to receive the care and stability they need during a critical time in their lives.”
Students accepted into the fellowship program will earn $15 per hour for up to 26 hours per week, allowing them to work around their class schedules.
In addition to competitive pay, students accepted into the fellowship program have the chance to gain immediate experience with caseworker duties such as transporting clients, attending home visits and court hearings, documenting cases, making follow-up calls, and much more. The program also offers retention incentives and mentoring opportunities to keep students engaged and prepare them for caseworker jobs after graduation.
“These are incredibly important jobs that make a difference. Every day, children services professionals work to help keep vulnerable children safe,” said Director Wente. “We believe the expansion of the Ohio Child Protective Services Fellowship Program will help us energize a new generation of college graduates to enter this critically needed and highly rewarding field.”
Originally launched in 2022 by Wood County Job and Family Services (JFS), the program partners with colleges and universities to recruit students entering their junior year to start the fellowship in their senior year. The ultimate goal is to provide students a pathway to full-time employment at the end of the fellowship.
Wood County JFS will continue to manage the program during this phase of expansion. DCY’s $2 million investment will nearly double the number of participating PCSAs, growing the program from 19 to 35 counties throughout northwest, southwest, and southeast Ohio. Funding will support 75 part-time fellowship positions for students. The goal is for the students who complete the program to use this experience to help secure permanent positions at county PCSAs or other local health and human services agencies.
Any Ohio college or university student who is majoring in a relevant human services field is welcome to apply. To participate, students must be able to commute to a county PCSA with an available fellowship position.
View an updated list of participating counties and learn more about how to apply on DCY’s new program webpage:
In addition to the Ohio Child Protective Services Fellowship Program, DCY also continues to strengthen the state’s children services workforce through the University Partnership Program (UPP). UPP works to incentivize those who have already graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees in social work to launch their career in children services.
Research shows that graduates supported through UPP stay in their jobs longer and are more satisfied that those who did not complete a similar program.
UPP is part of the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program (OCWTP). Learn more at: https://ohiocaps.org/ocwtp/upp/.
Additional Media Contact:
Ohio Department of Children and Youth
Jodi Norton, Chief Communications Officer
614-582-0827
[email protected]
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