College of Health and Human Services

Title IV-E University Partnership Program (UPP)

UPP REQUIREMENTS:
BSW seniors and MSW candidates admitted to the UPP are required to take two specialized, standardized child welfare courses and complete a one-year internship at an Ohio PCSA. UPP graduates receive $5,000 of tuition reimbursement per year of UPP participation, with a two-year maximum, provided they secure full-time employment in direct services at an Ohio PCSA within 180 days of graduation.

Potential Waiver of Caseworker Core Training for UPP Graduates:
Completion of required social work courses, along with completion of the UPP's two required child welfare courses and one-year internship have been deemed by the UPP planning committee to provide the equivalent to all the competencies covered in Caseworker Core training, with the exception of the Legal Aspects Core Module. Some UPP students take the Legal Aspects Module through an OCWTP Regional Training Center (RTC) before graduation. Those that do not must complete the Legal Aspects Module within their first year of PCSA employment. Based on this, Ohio House Bill 95 stipulates that PCSA directors have the option to waive Caseworker Core training requirements for newly hired UPP graduates, provided they have already taken the Legal Aspects Module or will take it within their first year.