The University Training Consortium at Eastern Kentucky University recently hosted the 38th Public Child Welfare Certification (PCWCP) Retreat.
Ninety social work students from 11 Kentucky universities received specialized child welfare training to prepare for future employment with Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Community Based Services (DCBS). Since 1996, PCWCP has recruited and prepared more than 800 bachelor’s of social work students for employment in Kentucky’s public child welfare system.
PCWCP is a collaborative effort between BSW programs at public and private schools throughout the Commonwealth (EKU, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Morehead State University, Northern Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, Murray State University, Kentucky State University, Campbellsville University, Spalding University and Brescia University), EKU’s Training Resource Center/University Training Consortium and the DCBS.
Students accepted into PCWCP receive tuition and a stipend for the last two years of their BSW program. While in the program, students are required to participate in two specialized academic courses on child abuse and neglect and intervention techniques, attend two retreats per year, complete training courses offered through the DCBS Training Branch during their last semester, and complete up to two practicums in a DCBS office. Successful graduates of the program are given the opportunity to apply and be selected for positions within DCBS and have a two-year employment commitment to the agency.
For more information about PCWCP, visit www.pcwcp.eku.edu or contact Sarah Williams at sarah.williams@eku.edu or 859-622-2312. For more information about EKU’s Training Resource Center, visit www.trc.eku.edu.