University Partnership Program

The University Partnership Program (UPP) is part of Ohio’s commitment to improving outcomes for children and families by strengthening its child protection workforce. It is a unique and beneficial partnership among the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY), 12 of Ohio’s public university schools of social work, Ohio’s University Consortium for Child and Adult Services (OUCCAS), the Public Children Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO) and Ohio’s 85 Public Children’s Service Agencies (PCSAs).

The program was established in 2002 and has three primary purposes: 

1. To identify future child welfare professionals and prepare them for entry-level positions in PCSAs.
2. To help professionalize the field of Child Welfare; and
   
3. To reduce the time newly hired case workers, spend in on-the-job training

Requirements:

• Students can participate in the program for up to two years.
• UPP students must successfully complete two specialized child protection courses that cover Ohio’s “Core Module” training for caseworkers. Child Protection I and Child Protection II are both offered at BGSU. 
• Complete a field placement internship at a Public Children Service Agency in Ohio (PCSAO).
• After successfully earning a social work degree, graduates can seek employment at a PCSAO within a six month target period.

Once hired by a PCSAO:

• The student commits to at least one year of employment at a PCSAO. 
• The student will receive an incentive payment between $5,000 and $10,000 for their participation in UPP.
• Those who complete the program may not have to take the required core training (102 hours) that all other new caseworkers must complete within their first year of employment.

Help make a difference in the life of a child

Apply for the University Partnership Program