About CWEC

The Child Welfare Education Collaborative (est. 1999) is a traineeship for future child welfare workers in BSW or MSW programs at 20 participating NC universities.  CWEC has prepared over 1,500 highly qualified BSW and MSW social workers committed to working at NC county DSS agencies.  Pre-service training is integrated into coursework and field placements. Students complete mandatory pre-service training for DSS prior to graduating, and participate in extra-curricular activities, simulation events, and Trauma Trainings.

Benefits to Collaborative Graduates and Agencies:

• Graduates are highly qualified and committed to working at county DSS agencies
• Graduates are waived from the 72-hour post-employment pre-service training requirement
• Graduates have higher retention rates than typical newly hired child welfare workers
• Many graduates advance to leadership positions – supervisors, program administrators, directors

Faculty and Staff