University Partnership Program
The University Partnership Program (UPP) is a unique collaboration among the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, eight of Ohio’s public schools of social work, PCSAO, Ohio’s public children services agencies (PCSAs), and the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program.
PCSAO does not manage this program but is actively involved in supporting it. For more information, contact Linda Helm.
The purpose of UPP is to bolster Ohio’s professional child protection workforce by increasing the number of well-trained graduates with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work who enter the field. Studies show that those graduating from a program such as UPP stay longer and are more satisfied than those who did not complete such a program prior to employment.
UPP students take special courses on child protection, complete a field placement at a PCSA, and upon graduation receive partial tuition reimbursement after accepting a casework position in an Ohio PCSA. 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. UPP graduates have become regularly sought after for open PCSA caseworker positions.
For Prospective Students
- Fact Sheet: Ohio Child Welfare University Partnership Program
- UPP Requirements
- UPP Participating Universities:
- The University of Akron
- University of Cincinnati
- “(external)Cleveland State University”: https://health.csuohio.edu/social-work/university-partnership-program-in-child-welfare
- Ohio University
- The Ohio State University
- University of Toledo
- Wright State University
- Youngstown State University
For Current Students and Graduates
- UPP Contact List
- Child Welfare Field Practicum Resource Handbook for Students
- Advertise your availability for employment
- Employment Opportunities with PSCAs
The following resources were developed by PCSAO’s Human Resources/Safety Committee to assist UPP graduates in comparing work requirements and benefits among multiple agencies. Experience shows that one agency may offers more in salary but offer less in its total package due to differing contributions to fringe benefits and different requirements and reimbursement for circumstances such as “being on call.” Students can use “Agency Benefits Comparison Issues” to see what they should consider prior to completing the “Evaluating Offers Worksheet.”
For Agencies
- Comprehensive Manual for UPP Field Instructors
- Search for available UPP graduates to hire
- ODJFS policy clarification on Confidentiality and SACWIS access for UPP Interns placed at PCSAs (December 7, 2012)
- Key Field Experience Activities for UPP Interns: A Guideline (Updated August 2018)
- Sample UPP Field Instructor Information from Franklin County Children Services