Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice
Social Work
O.A. Grant Building
How do I apply?

Interested BSW students must meet all requirements for admission to the social work program and submit:

  1. A completed Title IV-E project application
  2. A personal resume reflecting education, volunteer experience, and work experience
  3. A two- to three-page essay describing the applicant’s interest in and commitment to public child welfare work

Project Requirements

Applicants must be admitted to the Social Work Program and be in good standing. Course work includes all required social work courses as well as SWK 411: Child Welfare and SWK 377: Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

Additional requirements involve satisfactory completion of an interview with Child Protective Services and taking the ABLE screening test.

The Field Practicum will be located in either Region 2 or Region 9 of the Texas Department of Protective Services (view the Regional map).

Title IV-E
Child Welfare Project

What is the Title IV-E Project?

The Social Work Program of Tarleton State University is honored to have a training contract for qualified BSW students desiring a career in Child Protective Services. The funding for this contract is provided through section Title IV-E of the Social Security Act.

Through this project, students prepare for leadership and work in permanency planning and family preservation with children and their families in child welfare. Many of these families are experiencing challenges and obstacles to functioning adequately because of maltreatment, substance abuse, serious medical conditions, socioeconomic status, and other factors.

This project offers students an opportunity to receive individualized, specialized training in child welfare, including placement in a supervised, intensive field practicum setting in Regions 2 and 9 of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. In exchange for a funded internship, the Title IV-E grant recipient is required upon graduation to fulfill an employment contract with Child Protective Services.

What would I do as a social worker at CPS?

After intensive training, child welfare social workers work with children and their families, courts, police, medical institutions, and schools. Guided by public child welfare and family policy, these social workers perform an array of tasks within complex family situations, including:

  • Performing risk assessments to determine child well-being and safety
  • Preparing and documenting case records, including court documents and testimony
  • Conducting services within a case management process
  • Initiating referrals for clients to appropriate resources
  • Organizing communities to create healthier environments for children
  • Planning and advocating for effective child welfare policies and programs

Is child welfare a good career choice for me?

Choosing a career in child welfare requires that you are willing to:

  • Study and learn a challenging and complex body of knowledge about children, families, social systems, and public policy;
  • Be sensitive to different cultures and ideas;
  • Practice social work values and ethics;
  • Be passionate about creating a positive difference in the lives of children and families.

Choose a Career in Child Welfare

Tarleton State University's Social Work Program's Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Project is a federally funded initiative to reintegrate the social work profession into child welfare by offering stipends to students interested in working within the child welfare system. The purpose of the program is to train professional social work practitioners for child welfare work.

After graduation, the BSW degree graduate will work in Child Protective Services (CPS) with a starting salary of $32,000 plus exceptional benefits.

Contact Information

Lucille A. Armstrong, LCSW
Program Director
Box T-0665
Stephenville, TX 76402
(254) 968-0710
Fax: (254) 968-9288
larmstrong@tarleton.edu