Abstract
In the state of California, the Title IV-E Stipend Program was implemented in an effort to provide professionals the opportunity to complete a graduate level education with an emphasis on the public child welfare system. Additionally, a main goal of the program was to increase the professionalism of the child welfare workforce. This research project intended to explore the effectiveness of the Title IV-E Stipend Program through the analysis of social workers’ employment related experiences. More specifically, this research project consisted of forty-three participants: 23 of which identified as Title IV-E Stipend Program recipients. The findings of the study were that there was no significant difference in experiences based upon the variable of Title IV-E participation. However, the researchers were able to glean various themes consistent of previous research. For example, similarities regarding reports of high caseloads, importance of internship experiences,necessity of safe-care and supervision, and lastly, the desire for higher pay within the child welfare workforce.