Yes. An applicant must be currently employed at a voluntary not-for-profit child welfare agency in NYS licensed by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) with at least two years of full-time or part-time experience providing either (a) direct-care services to children and families or (b) non-direct care services, such as administrative and operational support services.
NYS Child Welfare Worker Incentive Scholarship Program FAQS
No. An applicant could have provided two years of non-direct care services, including administrative or operational support services with an OCFS-licensed voluntary not-for-profit child welfare agency in NYS, but must pursue a degree that would allow for the provision direct care services upon the completion of his or her degree.
Direct care services include those which require some degree of interaction between the child/family and the child welfare worker, such performing assessments, home visits, direct implementation of care plans and other similar functions.
Non-direct care services are administrative and operational services.
No. You have the choice to attend full time or part time and to continue to work or stop working while you receive the scholarship.
Yes. Individuals who are currently employed at an OCFS-licensed voluntary not-for-profit child welfare agency and who are currently attending college, as well as those who are enrolled but have not yet attended, are eligible to receive an award.
No. A recipient may receive an award for either an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or graduate degree.
No. An applicant must be pursuing one of the following eligible undergraduate or graduate degree programs at a college or university located in NYS:
- Criminal Justice
- Human Services
- Mental Health Counseling
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Social Services
- Social Work
- Sociology
You must begin working as a full-time child welfare worker providing direct care services at a voluntary not-for-profit child welfare agency in New York State licensed by the Office of Children and Family Services on a full-time basis within one year of graduation. You must work for at least five continuous years after you receive your degree and maintain residency in New York State during that time. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the conversion of your award to a loan.