The Social Worker Educational Enrollment and Training Pilot Program Act establishes a new initiative within the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services aimed at supporting individuals pursuing a Master of Social Work degree. The program will provide commitment stipends of $5,000 per semester to qualified applicants who are residents of Pennsylvania, enrolled in an approved Master of Social Work program, and maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The stipends are intended to assist recipients while they complete required internships at approved facilities, which will offer clinical training and supervision necessary for their professional development.
The bill outlines the qualifications for applicants, the process for awarding internships, and the funding mechanisms for the program. It mandates the department to evaluate the program's outcomes within one year of implementation and report findings to key legislative leaders. Additionally, the department is tasked with creating regulations and procedures to effectively administer the program, which will expire three years after its effective date. The act is set to take effect 90 days after passage.