Title IV-E (SWEPT)

Below please find the downloadable documents for your application:

• CPS Application (Region 8)
• CPS Application Cover Letter (Region 8)
• Employee Application and Supervisor Approval

The Title IV-E Program of the Social Security Act authorizes the federal government’s Foster Care and Adoption Assistance programs to provide matching funds to state educational programs.  The goal of these programs is to improve the lives of children in foster care and facilitate adoption or the return of children to their home.  This goal is met through a focus on the educational training of current or potential Child Protective Services (CPS) employees.  The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Social Work Education Program Title IV-E (SWEPT) operates training and development programs for Regions 8 and 11, supporting the goals and objectives in the Child and Family Services state plan for Title IV-E training.

The goals of the Title IV-E training program are as follows:

• Enhance the skills of current and prospective child protective workers through education.
• Create opportunities for ongoing foster parent and staff training.
• Prepare students for a career in child welfare practice.

Students who qualify will receive a stipend under the Title IV-E program as financial aid in covering the costs associated with attending course work in the Master of Social Work program at the UTSA.

To be eligible for a Title IV-E stipend a student must be: currently enrolled and in good academic standing with the university, or willing to enroll in the UTSA MSW program. 

A Texas Department of Family Protective Services (TDFPS) employee must have:

• A minimum of one year employment as a Child Protective Services Specialist in Texas and current employment in a position which qualifies for stipend reimbursement (for example: not eligible are positions include FBSS and Investigations);
• Have a current performance level of successful on last annual evaluation  
• The CPS employee MUST apply for both:
  • the Social Work Education Program Title IV-E (SWEPT) 
  • admission to the UTSA graduate school and the MSW program

For a TDFPS employee, they must first speak to an agency supervisor about participation in the program.  A complete application should be submitted to the SWEPT office. UTSA Department of Social Work hold prospective applicant session that provides interested potential students further detailed information.  The stipend application packet will be provided to eligible CPS employees and potential students. The following contents must be received by the deadline determined by the region.

• Cover sheet and completed form with identifying information to include name, current program and unit assignment, telephone number, and total number of years and months with CPS.
• A copy of most current performance evaluation.
• A written statement from the supervisor addressing current worker performance level, adherence to work rules, and ability to succeed in an MSW program.
• A memo (limited to one typed page) to the selection committee that answers the question:  Why should you be selected to receive this stipend?   

All application materials are to be submitted electronically only, via email, to 4ERegion8@utsa.edu or 4ERegion11@utsa.edu.

In accordance with Title IV-E federal and state guidelines, the region will determine the criteria for evaluating and selecting stipend recipients.  Once a stipend application is complete, it will be submitted the selection committee is composed of program directors, supervisors, and worker staff, both rural and urban, from all parts of the program that have been appointed by their respective supervisors to serve on the committee. Region 8 supervisors who are interested in being considered for the stipend program are required to write an e-mail to the regional director expressing interest.  They must meet the basic requirements of the employee stipend selection process, but the decision is made by the regional director.  In addition the student will make application to be accepted as a UTSA graduate student and their application will be reviewed by the UTSA Department of Social Work for acceptance into the UTSA MSW program.  Applications must be complete by 30 days prior to the Stipend Committee meeting.

Stipend Committee Schedule for review of BSW and MSW Stipend Applications, for students and CPS employees:

Fall: Meet by May 1

Spring: Meet by November 1

This can vary depending on the individual student. You will be given a degree plan that outlines the courses you will take each semester. In general you will attend school 3 semesters per year (Fall, Spring, Summer) taking 6 hours per semester (part-time at 2 courses in a semester) and:

• if you have a Bachelor of Social Work, you can complete the MSW program in as little as two years, although it may take longer depending on your BSW course work and advanced standing requirements.
• if you have a bachelor degree in any other discipline, you can complete the MSW degree in as little as three and one half years at best. However, it may take longer depending on your class performance and GPA.  

In terms of internship, the student will be required to complete the same number of practicum hours as any other MSW graduate student at UTSA.

The stipends will vary from year to year depending on available funding, but typically cover most if not all tuition and fees associated with attending graduate school.  Stipend funds will be dispersed via the university each semester that the student is eligible.

For pre-service MSW students: 

The stipend payback is 8 calendar months of employment at TDFPS for each semester in which a stipend was received.

For Current TDFPS employees:

The payback for the stipend is 4 calendar months of employment at TDFPS for each semester in which a stipend was received.

Payback begins after the pre-service student begins employment status, and after the employee graduates with a MSW degree.