IV-E Scholars Application Instructions
Please use this page to help you complete the IV-E Scholars Application. Save your work often and only sign your application when you have completed everything. Digitally signing the application means you can no longer edit the PDF.
Download Application Materials and Software
You will need to download the application and reference forms and open them in Adobe Reader, Adobe Acrobat or Apple’s Preview. Adobe Reader is free to install and use and is available for many versions of Windows, Mac OS, and Android. You can also download a trial version of Adobe Acrobat Pro DC for free for a week.
Download IV-E Scholars Application PDF
Download Scholars Application Reference Form PDF
Download and Install Adobe Reader
Download and Install Adobe Acrobat Pro DC (Free trial for a week)
Questions
If you have any questions, please contact Alyssa Reynolds.
Email: alyssareynolds@boisestate.edu
Phone: (208) 426-3129
Fax: (208) 426-4291
FERPA Waiver
In order for Boise State to submit your application packet to the Department of Health and Welfare, you need to waive your FERPA rights. You have the right to cancel this waiver at any time. If you have questions, please contact Alyssa.
Application Packet Contents
Depending on which program you are applying to your application may be accepted year-round. Students may need to complete the Child Welfare Scholars application before they know if they are accepted into the BSW or MSW programs. Contact Alyssa via email for details. The application packet includes:
- Idaho Child Welfare Scholar Stipend Award Description
- Partner University Program Summary Letter
- Application Criteria for Idaho Child Welfare Scholar Stipend Program
- Application for Idaho Child Welfare Scholar Stipend Award Program
- Essay Instructions
- Self-Evaluation Form
- Submit three letters of reference, which may be emailed directly to alyssareynolds@boisestate.edu. If you need to brainstorm alternative options, please contact Alyssa.
Application Criteria Notes
The application criteria as written in the application packet can be confusing, as it lays out criteria for applicants who are current DHW employees and applicants who are not employees (referred to as non-employees on this page). In this section, we are reiterating the application criteria with some additional notes to help clarify the criteria for these two types of applicants.
Eligibility
To be eligible for admission into this program, an applicant must:
- Be admitted to the Bachelor of Social Work Program at Boise State, ISU, or LCSC, or to the Master of Social Work Program at Boise State or ISU.
- Be a full‐time employee with at least one‐year continuous employment with IDHW, or
- Express commitment to the field of child welfare and agree to the obligations of employment as defined in the student contract upon graduation.
- Provide three letters of reference (PDF). Current DHW employees will need to include references from their current/most recent supervisor and next level supervisor with CFS Program Manager’s comments; a third reference will need to be identified. Non-employees may include a supervisor for employment or volunteer work, a community agency representative with good knowledge of the applicant, and/or an academic advisor or university instructor.
- Complete stipend application (PDF), including a self-evaluation form and written statement addressing applicants reason for applying for an Idaho Child Welfare Scholar’s program stipend and how receipt of the stipend will enable the participant to make a professional contribution in a direct service or administrative role within CFS.
- Following submission of material, non‐employee applicants participate in an interview with the joint CFS/participating University/College selection committee. When and how this occurs depends on which Idaho Department of Health and Welfare office you are applying to complete your practicum in. Contact Alyssa Reynolds for further information.
- Successfully pass an employment background inquiry (including fingerprint check) conducted by CFS. This occurs after you have been selected as a practicum student at a State of Idaho regional Family and Children Services office.
Application Form Notes
The first part of the application form, starting on page 3 of the application PDF, is fairly straight forward. You’ll be asked for your name, home address and contact information, employer and business address and contact information, if you are employed. You will also need to state if you are a current employee of Idaho Child and Family Services, and if so, what position you hold and in what office you work.
Then you’ll select your program and university. Boise State applicants need only look at the first two options – MSW at Boise State or BSW at Boise State.
Go to page 4 to review and check attachment requirements.
On page 5, you will also need to state if you are a current employee of Idaho Child and Family Services, and if so, what position you hold and in what office you work. In order for Idaho Child and Family Service employees application to be considered, they must have already applied and been offered a Practicum position with Child Welfare. They must select “Yes” on the drop down menu, indicating they have applied and been offered a Practicum position with Child Welfare.
Attachments Notes
You will be asked to include the following with your application form:
- A copy of your application forms submitted to the Partner University social work program. This is referring to this IV-E application packet only. You do not need to provide a copy of the application you completed to be accepted into the BSW or MSW program.
- A copy of your acceptance letter from the Partner University social work program, if available. You may provide a copy of the email or acceptance letter you received from Boise State. If you don’t have a copy, you may request a copy from the School of Social Work or the Admissions office.
- Completed Letters of Reference – Current DHW Employees must include letters of reference from current, next level supervisors and CFS program manager (a total of three references). Non-employees may submit references from a community agency representative with good knowledge of the applicant, a previous supervisor, an academic advisor or university instructor.
- Two-page essay addressing the following: (1) why you are applying for an Idaho Child Welfare Scholar Stipend and (2) How receipt of the stipend will enable you to make a professional contribution in a direct service or administrative role with the Child and Family Services. Further details are available near the middle of page 5 of the PDF.
- Complete Self-Evaluation – This is separate from the two-page essay. The form prompts begin in the middle of page 5 of the PDF.
If awarded a stipend, you will be required to sign a contract with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Family and Community Services and no disbursement of stipend can take place until this contract has been signed by all parties. In consideration for a Child Welfare Scholar Stipend Award, there is a corresponding work commitment. Linked here are sample contractual agreements – Current DHW Employee (PDF) and Non-Employees (PDF).
Essay Instructions and Notes
Please submit an essay which describes:
- Reasons for applying for the Child Welfare Scholars Program.
- How receipt of the Child Welfare Stipend will allow you to make a professional contribution in direct service or administration/management within Child and Family Services.
- Incorporate your responses to the six goal areas listed below in the self-evaluation: Leadership, Commitment, Relationship Capacity, Ethics, and Customer Service
This essay should be at least 2 pages and provide a thoughtful, comprehensive goal statement(s).
Note: the essay and the self-evaluation are different, though they ask for similar information. Be sure to discuss different examples in each section. Please take this opportunity to highlight your strengths and why you are a good candidate for the stipend.
Self-Evaluation Instructions and Notes
The self-evaluation is very similar to the essay, but asks for you to reflect on your ability to meet six specific goals: leadership, commitment, relationship capacity, ethics and customer service. The form provides a description of each goal’s relationship to CFS work. Take the opportunity to highlight your strengths and why you are a good candidate for the stipend. If you are unable to adequately type in this document and need help brainstorming options, contact Alyssa Reynolds for support.
The final question asks you to write a statement to address your plan to support public child welfare in your academic pursuit and in your practicum placement. Emphasize ideas that you believe will advance your education and “new learning” in child welfare practice. Please comment on any additional strengths you would like for us to consider, or limitations you have identified in your own ability to complete the program for which this award is being presented. If you have discussed performance or professional goals with your supervisor (employee applicant), or Child Welfare Faculty Field Instructor (non‐employees), please include those in this statement. This statement is critical to your academic planning and we want to thank you in advance for your candid assessment of yourself.
Digital Signatures
The final step in this PDF is to sign the application form. You may digitally sign or print, sign and rescan the form. Fill in the signature date first.
Once you submit your digital signature, you can no longer edit your application. Save your work often and only sign once you have completed everything else in the application.
Instructions about digital signatures are available here. Please note that DHW will not accept typed signatures.
Letters of Reference
Everyone needs to submit three letters of reference (PDF form). The applicant should fill out the top part of the four-page PDF with the applicant’s name, whether they waive or retain their FERPA rights to review the reference, date and sign.
You may digitally sign or print, sign and rescan the form. Fill in the signature date first.
Once you submit your digital signature, you can no longer edit your application. Save your work often and only sign once you have completed everything else in the application.
Instructions about digital signatures are available here. Please note that DHW will not accept typed signatures.
References may be emailed directly to alyssareynolds@boisestate.edu. If you need to brainstorm alternative options, please contact Alyssa.
Current DHW Employees
Current DHW employees applying for the stipend must have letters of reference from their current or most recent supervisor, from their next level supervisor and their CFS Program Manager.
If your reference is unable to print, sign and scan this document or needs assistance in digitally signing their reference form, please refer them to this page with signing instructions and help. For additional questions or assistance, contact Alyssa Reynolds.
The final page of the reference form includes space for additional comments and contact information for Alyssa Reynolds, who should receive the final, complete form.
Non-Employee Applicants
You will need to provide three letters of reference. Below are recommended references:
- a community agency representative with good knowledge of the applicant
- a previous supervisor
- an academic advisor or university instructor.
If your reference is unable to print, sign and scan this document or needs assistance in digitally signing their reference form, please refer them to this page with signing instructions and help. For additional questions or assistance, contact Alyssa Reynolds.
The final page of the reference form includes space for additional comments and contact information for Alyssa Reynolds, who should receive the final, complete form.