Stipends

GSWEC PROGRAM 

The Geriatric Social Work Education Consortium (GSWEC)  is the nation’s first integrated regional network dedicated to improving  geriatric social work education and field training . It aims to prepare social workers to specialize in aging and become leaders in the field.

Purpose

The  GSWEC Internship Program  seeks to:

• Increase the number of students specializing in working with  older adults.
• Develop  “aging-rich” field internships  in graduate social work education programs across  Los Angeles and Orange County.

Ultimately, the GSWEC stipends gives the opportunity to increase the number of social workers prepared to be leaders in the field of aging. 

Application

• Applicants must declare Aging as their concentration in order to apply for GSWEC.
• Applications for GSWEC will be available for students before entering their second-year internship placement. 

Orange County Behavioral Health Stipend Program (OCBH)

The Orange County Behavioral Health MSW Stipend Program provides financial support and enhanced training to MSW students committed to working in behavioral health  within  Orange County . Funded by  CalOptima Health , the program aims to address the growing need for social workers in the public health care system.

The   provides financial support and enhanced training to MSW students committed to working in  behavioral health  within  Orange County . Funded by  CalOptima Health , the program aims to address the growing need for social workers in the public health care system.

Purpose

• Increase the number of social workers in  behavioral health settings  within  Orange County.
• Address critical public health challenges, such as unmet mental health needs and the opioid crisis.

Key Points

• Financial Support:
  • Students receive a $20,000 stipend per academic year for up to two years. (funded by CalOptima Health).
• Behavioral Health Focus:
  • The program emphasizes increasing the behavioral health workforce to address public health needs in Orange County.
• Field Training:
  • Students participate in MSW field practicum training  at  community-based agencies, gaining hands-on experience in behavioral health.
  • Students complete additional training activities focused on implementing evidence-based practices to serve diverse populations
• Service Commitment:
  • After graduation, students commit to  up to two years of full-time paid service  in a behavioral health agency in Orange County (depending on the number of years of stipend support).

Application

• Starting with admission for the 2026-2027 academic year, students can apply by completing the supplemental application when applying for the MSW program. Students will not be admitted into the program until accepted into the MSW program and attendance has been confirmed.
• Flex students cannot participate in the program until their second year when they are completing their first practicum placement.

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If you have further questions about the program, please contact Dr. Brittany Eghaneyan

 

Public Behavioral Health (PBH) Stipend Training Program

The Public Behavioral Health (PBH) MSW Training Program aims to increase the number of Master of Social Work (MSW) graduates who pursue and commit to careers providing behavioral health services in California’s public systems of care. The program is designed to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for success in this field and is available to both full-time and part-time students.

Program Goals

1. Recruitment and Diversity
   1. Recruit and select students who reflect the diversity of California’s communities and service consumers.
2. Specialized Training
   1. Provide specialized behavioral health training focused on the delivery of services through public programs.
   2. Emphasize the coordination and integration of behavioral health services for adults, children, and families across multiple systems of care.
3. Practicum and Academic Alignment
   1. Strengthen the alignment between practicum training, practicum instruction, and academic curriculum.
   2. Prepare MSW students for the realities of social work practice within public behavioral health care settings.

Eligibility and Participation

• To be considered for the PBH Training Program, students must be placed at a practicum site that provides public behavioral health services.
• Students may participate during both their foundation and advanced years of practicum training.

Stipend and Service Commitment

• Stipend recipients must complete a work repayment commitment after graduation.

• Participants agree to work at a public behavioral health agency for the same number of years they received stipend support.

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If you have further questions about the program, please contact Dr. Caroline Bailey