January 29, 2026

Ferris State joins MDHHS program to strengthen Michigan’s child welfare workforce

Ferris State University is partnering with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services through a social worker student stipend program to help keep kids safe.

The program aims to provide stipends to social work students who agree to work in under-resourced communities across the state after graduation.

MDHHS announced Wednesday that Ferris State is one of three public universities to join the partnership, including Eastern Michigan and Oakland University. The three new additions bring the total number of participating schools to eight.

Carrie Thompson serves as the Bachelor’s of Social Work Program Director and an associate professor at Ferris State. She noted that the Title federally funded Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend Program helps educate and train welfare workers in Michigan.

“Using the funding in this way will significantly help in the recruitment and training of students who are passionate about working with children and families who are involved in the child protection, foster care and adoption systems,” Thompson said. “It will also provide eligible students with much needed financial assistance during their senior internship in a child welfare agency.”

Michigan, like many states, faces a shortage of child welfare workers. To address this, MDHHS launched the Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend Program last year and increased funding for the program this year from $1.7 million to $4.5 million. 

The additional funding now allows students to receive $5,000 to $15,000 per semester in stipends. However, the student must commit to working in child welfare in Michigan after graduation for up to 16 months.

Currently, 82 students are enrolled in the program. Since its launch, 25 students have graduated, with 19 now employed by MDHHS. 

“This program has already resulted in 25 graduates who have committed to protecting children and supporting families as part of Michigan’s child welfare workforce,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “It helps support social work students financially as they prepare to enter the workforce and is critical to recruiting and retaining dedicated professionals.”

More details on the stipend program can be found here.