North Carolina’s Child Welfare Workforce Gets a Boost with 45 Graduates from CWEC Program
The state of North Carolina marks a pivotal advancement in child welfare services as 45 students graduate from the NC Child Welfare Education Collaborative (CWEC) this academic year. This milestone is part of the ongoing initiative by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) to enhance the child welfare workforce across the state.
Established in 1999, the CWEC program is a collaboration between NCDHHS, public universities, and county social services departments, focused on training the future generation of child welfare professionals. Since its inception, the program has equipped over 1,500 social workers with essential skills and hands-on experience to support families across North Carolina.
“North Carolina is committed to building a strong, prepared, and resilient child welfare workforce,” stated NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “These graduates are stepping into critical roles with both classroom knowledge and real-world experience. Programs like CWEC help ensure that families receive support from professionals who are ready to serve from day one.”
Graduates from the CWEC program are uniquely positioned to enter the workforce. They complete the state’s Pre-Service Training prior to graduation, enabling them to work with families immediately upon hire. This contrasts with other new hires who typically require about seven weeks of training before engaging with their first cases.
Students gain practical experience through internships at public child welfare agencies, which bridges the gap between academic instruction and the realities of frontline work. This exposure enhances their confidence and effectiveness, contributing to higher retention rates and advancement to leadership roles.
This year’s cohort includes five graduates from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical (A&T) State University, one of three universities piloting a stipend program for CWEC students. A celebration at NC A&T State University’s Social Work Department marked the occasion, where graduates received their CWEC certificates and medallions.
Dr. Lisa Workman, NC A&T State University’s Bachelor of Social Work Director and CWEC Liaison, praised the program: “The North Carolina Child Welfare Education Collaborative (CWEC) program has been an overall exceptional experience for my students here at North Carolina A&T State University. The students’ professional growth since the beginning of this academic year has been nothing less than phenomenal, and their presentation and leadership skills have soared.” She also lauded the strengthened partnerships with local social services departments.
To further support workforce development, NCDHHS reintroduced a stipend for CWEC students starting in Spring 2025 at Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, and North Carolina A&T State University. In exchange, graduates commit to working with a county department of social services, ensuring communities benefit from their expertise.
Plans are in place to expand the stipend program to more institutions, increasing access to CWEC and bolstering the pipeline of qualified professionals statewide.
Kayla Warren, Appalachian State University Department of Social Work Professor and CWEC Liaison, noted, “We are proud of this CWEC cohort and the dedication they have shown in preparing for careers in child welfare. The graduation of each of our CWEC cohorts reflects the strength of the partnership between the University, the CWEC Program, and DSS agencies in preparing the next generation of child welfare social workers.”
At East Carolina University, Dr. Kevin White, Associate Professor and CWEC Liaison, emphasized the program’s impact: “The ECU School of Social Work is grateful to remain a part of the Child Welfare Education Collaborative (CWEC), and we are excited to see the transformative impact that this year’s nine BSW participants will have on child welfare practice in NC.”
Highlighting CWEC’s success, Holly Royals, the new director of New Hanover Department of Social Services, shared her experience in a recent newsletter article: “CWEC provided a bridge between the classroom and real-world practice. The combination of coursework, field experience, and exposure to policy and practice realities helped me enter the workforce with both confidence and a clearer understanding of the complexity of child welfare.”
The CWEC initiative is part of North Carolina’s broader strategy to enhance its child welfare system by reducing educational barriers, accelerating readiness for practice, and fostering partnerships between academic institutions and public agencies.
For more information about CWEC, visit the NCDHHS website: Child Welfare Education Collaborative.
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