This September, DCYF launched their Child Welfare Social Work Licensure Training and Support Program. This program provides individual and group clinical supervision hours for participants. It will also support interested individuals through the process of obtaining their Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) or Licensed Advanced Social Worker (LASW) licenses.
In order to be eligible, participants must:
- Be a DCYF Child Welfare Division employee
- Meet all the qualifications for an Associate LICSW or LASW license defined by Washington State’s Department of Health (DoH)
- Have a master's degree in social work
There are many benefits to getting licensed. Licensed Child Welfare staff have added experience and knowledge of tools that can help them guide families through developing emotional insight, promoting healing around past traumas and ending self-destructive patterns. A license also expands the scope of staff’s practice and can provide them with additional opportunities for their professional advancement.
More than 2,500 Child Welfare Staff support children, youth, and families through DCYF every day. The work that they do is critical, impactful, and constantly evolving. Which is why it’s important that staff have access to continued education and are provided with opportunities to learn and grow in their careers.
“I am grateful for the program development team, licensure staff, and everyone that contributed to making this program a reality,” Assistant Secretary of Child Welfare Natalie Green says. “Licensure provides an additional avenue to providing quality engagement and services to children and families and is another way we can support our staff.”
The current program team consists of one program administrator and two supervisors who will review applications and are available to support participants.
If you have questions or would like more information about the program, email dcyf.childwelfarelicensuresupport@dcyf.wa.gov.