Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services (LA DCFS) Stipend Program

The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) stipend program is a federally funded partnership between Los Angeles County DCFS and several local MSW programs, including USC's, under the Title IV-E provision of the Social Security Act. The two-year stipend is available to on-campus students who are committed to pursuing a career in public child welfare in Los Angeles County.

Stipend Amount

This two-year stipend of $52,000 is awarded to on-campus students who are committed to pursuing a career in public child welfare in Los Angeles County during their second year of the MSW program. The funds are disbursed over four semesters (Example: $13,000 Fall 2026 - typically end of November; $13,000 Spring 2027; $13,000 Fall 2027 – typically end of November; and $13,000 Spring 2028.)

About the Program

In exchange for the stipend, students agree to work for a minimum of two calendar years at LA County DCFS after graduation while receiving full compensation and benefits. This is a federally-funded stipend program under the Title IV-E provision of the Social Security Act designed to improve the field of public child welfare with MSW professionals committed to a career serving this population.

For more information, please contact Associate Teaching Professor Holly Priebe Sotelo, or Teaching Professor Rafael Angulo.

Eligibility Criteria

Stipend recipients must demonstrate a commitment to pursue a career in the field of public child welfare at LA County DCFS.  Students must be in the Children, Youth and Families (CYF) track, participate in specialized training sessions, maintain good academic standing (including in practicum education), and must pass a public child welfare elective course along with other stipend requirements. During the stipend program, all students will be placed at a DCFS regional office during the last two semesters of their MSW program.