Title IV-E University-Agency Partnership Stipend Programs: Building a Better Workforce

State and Tribal title IV-E agencies have access to Federal funds through title IV-E of the Social Security Act to apply toward the educational training of current and prospective child welfare professionals to support the provision of allowable title IV-E activities for title IV-E eligible children. To administer these funds, child welfare agencies have partnered with universities to offer social work or degree programs with specialized training, placements, and financial incentives, with the aim of building and strengthening the child welfare workforce. These training programs, commonly called "stipend programs," have become a vital tool in promoting child welfare workforce development. They have been shown to improve the recruitment, retention, and preparedness of child welfare professionals.

This issue brief provides a comprehensive look at the history and status of title IV-E stipend programs, including an overview of their administration and structure, a review of research and known outcomes, and intersections with related contemporary topics.

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