COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Children and Youth Director Kara B. Wente announced a $2 million expansion of the Ohio Child Protective Services Fellowship Program to address a growing workforce crisis in children services.
The fellowship program, which allows college students majoring in human services-related fields to work part-time in county public children services agencies (PCSAs), will nearly double its reach from 19 counties to 35. Students in the program earn $15 per hour and receive hands-on experience performing caseworker duties such as attending home visits, court hearings, and documenting cases.
“Research shows that when children services caseworkers leave their jobs, the kids they were helping often spend more time in foster care,” DeWine said. “Expanding this program not only provides great learning and working experience for students who are striving to make a positive difference in our communities, it also ensures that our most vulnerable children and families continue to receive the care and stability they need during a critical time in their lives.”
“These are incredibly important jobs that make a difference,” Wente said. “Every day, children services professionals work to help keep vulnerable children safe. We believe the expansion of the Ohio Child Protective Services Fellowship Program will help us energize a new generation of college graduates to enter this critically needed and highly rewarding field.”
The program was originally launched in 2022 by Wood County Job and Family Services. The $2 million investment will support 75 part-time fellowship positions, with the goal of transitioning participants into full-time roles within PCSAs or other health and human services agencies after graduation.
Learn more about the program and apply at ChildrenAndYouth.Ohio.gov/Fellowship.