University Partnership Program (UPP)

The University Partnership Program (UPP) is part of Ohio’s commitment to improving outcomes for children and families by strengthening the child protection workforce. UPP is a unique and beneficial partnership among:

Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY)
12 Ohio public university schools of social work
Ohio’s University Consortium for Child and Adult Services (OUCCAS)
Public Children Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO)
Ohio’s 85 Public Children Services Agencies (PCSAs)

Established in 2002, UPP has three primary goals:

Identify and prepare future child welfare professionals for entry-level positions in PCSAs
Professionalize the field of child welfare
Reduce the amount of on-the-job training required for newly hired caseworkers

Mission

“To develop creative child welfare leaders, policymakers, managers, and direct service practitioners who have the capacity for critical thinking and who promote best practices and the highest quality of service to children, families, and communities. The program accomplishes this through the coordinated and integrated provision of quality social work education and training.”

Student Requirements

Students accepted into UPP must:

Be a social work major (BSSW or MSW)
Participate in the program for at least one year (maximum of two years)
Complete two specialized child protection courses aligned with Ohio’s Core Module training
o (SOWK 4820/4825 or SOWK 5820/5825)
Complete a field placement internship at an Ohio Public Children Services Agency (PCSA)
Agree to seek employment within six months of graduation
Commit to at least one year of employment at a PCSA

Student Benefits

Specialized coursework and training in child protection
Individual mentoring and professional support
Experiential learning incentives upon successful completion of the field placement:
o BSSW students: $6,000
o MSW students: $8,000
Additional employment incentive of $5,000–$10,000 upon securing PCSA employment
Potential exemption from the 102 hours of required core training typically completed during the first year of employment