Adult Protective Services MSW Stipend Program (Regional Pilot)

APS MSW Stipend Program (Pilot)

In Fall 2019, the Adults and Aging Program launched its first funded effort to address the workforce development needs of California’s public Adults and Aging programs. The Adult Protective Services (APS) MSW Stipend Program was a regional project piloted at UC Berkeley and San Jose State University, jointly funded by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) through the sub-award of a grant from the Administration for Community Living’s Administration on Aging, the Bay Area Social Services Consortium (BASSC), and the City and County of San Francisco Human Service Agency. Its purpose was to demonstrate the impact of providing stipend support and specialized training to MSW students on their interest in, commitment to, and preparation for careers in Adult Protective Services.

Through the APS MSW Stipend Program pilot, ten MSW students at UC Berkeley and San Jose State University were awarded $18,500 stipends for academic years 2019-2020 and 2020-21. Trainees were required to complete specialized coursework and applied research projects focused on Adults and Aging, as required for the specializations and/or certificates at their respective MSW programs. They were required to complete first year field placements at public and private nonprofit agencies serving disabled and older adults, and second year field placements at local county-operated APS programs. In exchange for stipend support, all trainees committed to completing two years of full time service in public APS programs within the 12 Bay Area counties affiliated with BASSC after MSW graduation.