Child Welfare Scholars
Eight social work students participated in a two-day experiential learning trip in St. Paul on February 11 and 12. Students visited multicultural community based organizations, including MORE, Neighborhood House, and Ain Dah Yung Center, in order to learn and experience first-hand the grassroots efforts of these groups in service to their communities.
The participating students are all recipients of the Minnesota BSW Title IV-E Child Welfare Program, which serves to equip undergraduate social work students for the challenges of working in the rewarding field of child welfare. The goal is to promote the professionalism of public child welfare and to reverse the trend of high turnover in these positions. Students are awarded financial support for each semester of program participation and gain professional guidance and preparation as well as training opportunities for a career in child welfare.
Students participating were Molly Olson, Nicole Akason, Crystal Johnson, Tony Bernal, Heidi Peterson, Haley Wittenburg, Kimberly Blommel, and Helei Amini. Social Work faculty Jeremy Carney and Danelle Klaman also accompanied the students.