Protecting children and preserving families is the mission.

By providing specialized education, experiences, and financial assistance to social work students preparing to work in public child welfare the goal is to improve the standard of care to children and families.

Established in 1999 the Child Welfare Education Collaborative is a joint effort of participating social work education programs, the NC Division of Social Services, the NC Association of County Directors of Social Services and the North Carolina chapter of NASW.   

UNCW is one of six schools within the in the UNC system offering the Collaborative program.

Child Welfare Scholars are choosen through a competitive process based on acadaemic performance, experience, and committment to the field of child welfare.