Children and Families Institute Scholarship Application

Master of Social Work (MSW) students who apply for the Children and Families Scholars program and scholarship should exhibit a commitment to academic excellence, an interest in gaining leadership skills, and the intention of working upon graduation with children and families in Westchester County.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be entering the advanced year of MSW study at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service (GSS) in Westchester in September.
  • Have received a minimum 3.75 or better GPA in their Foundation year of the MSW program or have been granted Advanced Standing status and received a minimum 3.5 GPA in social work courses during the BSW program. 
  • Be interested in a field placement at an agency in Westchester County providing services to children or adolescents and their families. 
  • Plan to work in Westchester County for an agency providing services to children/adolescents and their families upon graduation.

Program Components

Students are expected to:

  • Be placed at an internship in Westchester County
  • Help to organize and plan an annual conference that brings together Westchester County leaders, students, and members of the social work community to examine cutting-edge issues in services to children, youth, and their families. 
  • Plan a research presentation for the annual conference.

Field Placement

The Children and Families Scholars program gives eligible students the opportunity to be placed at a Westchester-based agency that provides services to children, adolescents, and their families. Available placements include:

  • A Westchester-based residential treatment center that provides individual, group, and family services, as well as educational and recreation services to children and adolescents suffering from the impact of child abuse and neglect.
  • A Westchester-based mental health center that provides comprehensive counseling services to children, adolescents, and their families. 
  • A Program that designs and implements a cross-systems, community-based approach to meeting the multiple needs of seriously emotionally disturbed children and their families. 
  • A Mental health in-patient program for adolescents and latency age children. 
  • A Family program for children and families served by the public child welfare system in Westchester County that evaluates goals of permanency, safety, and child well-being.

Leadership Development

Children and Families Scholars will develop two special projects that require them to explore, organize, and plan presentations on issues affecting children and families that are of interest to them.

Children and Families Institute Scholarship Application 2024-2025