ACS Launches New Scholarship Program For Contracted Provider Staff Pursuing Master Of Social Work (MSW) Degree, Enhancing Their Committment To Working In NYC’s Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice System

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES LAUNCHES NEW PROVIDER AGENCY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR CONTRACTED PROVIDER STAFF PURSUING A MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK (MSW) DEGREE

Commissioner Jess Dannhauser, of the NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), announced the launch of the Provider Agency Scholarship Program, which will help support contracted provider agency staff as they advance their careers. The program builds off an existing program for ACS staff and will offer tuition support and continuous professional development opportunities to provider agency employees pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree who are committed to working in NYC’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

“The Provider Scholarship Program is an expansion of our existing programming available to ACS staff to support professional development. As a social worker myself, I know how much a MSW can further advance the work we do with families, ensuring they have every opportunity to thrive and succeed. This new program is a wonderful way to recognize provider staff who have demonstrated incredible commitment to working in NYC’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems and provide them with real support in advancing their training and career,” said Commissioner Jess Dannhauser.

“In New York City, we are making sure all those in child welfare are supported with the right training and professional development to help make them experts in their fields,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “ACS’s Provider Scholarship Program is yet another way for individuals who work tirelessly on behalf of children and families to provide the highest level of expertise to those they serve.”

In the first year of the program, 50 MSW scholarships will be awarded to contracted provider agency staff. Eligibility requirements include two years of satisfactory job performance; a current performance evaluation of Very Good; no pending disciplinary action; and letters of recommendation from agency senior leadership. Applicants must have been accepted and/or enrolled in an accredited degree-bearing MSW program affiliated with PDP in the greater New York City area. Scholarship recipients are required to commit to working in the Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice systems in New York City for up to two years following graduation. The program provides post-graduation networking and continuing education (CEU) opportunities to ensure recipients are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary for long-term success in their careers.

ACS will hold information sessions for provider agency leadership and prospective applicants during July and August.

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Administration of Children's Services