Child & Adolescent Maltreatment Prevention (CHAMP) Institute

Children and families receiving child welfare prevention services are highly likely to experience adverse outcomes related to trauma and are at risk of future maltreatment. MSW students with a passion for preventing child maltreatment have a unique opportunity to develop advanced skills and experience and receive a stipend for their efforts through NYU Silver’s CHAMP Institute.

Part of the federally funded NY Child and Adolescent Maltreatment Prevention (CHAMP) Network, the CHAMP Institute provides intensive training in trauma-informed care in the context of child welfare to selected MSW student Fellows so they are prepared for careers in child welfare prevention. 

First-year fellows will participate in a children, youth, and families focused placement. Second-year fellows will participate in a specialized practicum in one of three CHAMP Network-affiliated child welfare prevention agencies across the five boroughs of NYC, which include: Jewish Board Family and Children’s Services, Forestdale, Inc, and SCO Family of Services. In their second-year placement, Fellows will partner with trained providers to deliver Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) and other trauma-informed services in the clinic and during home visits.

Students may enter this specialization in their Generalist or Specialized Practice year.

Learning Objectives and Opportunities

• Skill Development: Fellows will be trained to deliver TST, an evidence-based intervention that addresses children’s trauma-related dysregulation and their environment’s capacity to care for and protect them.
• Seminar Series: Fellows will participate in a bi-monthly virtual seminar series together as a cohort focused on resilience in the context of trauma work
• Specialized Training: Fellows will participate in a three-day virtual TST training held in the summer between their first and second year. 
• Supportive Cohort: Fellows will participate in a cohort model to develop a supportive and cohesive environment and will be assigned the same faculty advisor
• Financial Assistance: Fellows may receive financial assistance or stipend to support their participation in this intensive initiative

Required Coursework

• Social Work Practice I (CHAMP-Specific Section, 4 credits)
• Social Work Practice II (CHAMP-Specific Section, 3 credits)
• Core Concepts in Child and Adolescent Trauma (3 credits)
• Core Components and Skills for Trauma-Informed Practice (3 credits)

Eligibility Requirements

• Students must be in good academic standing
• Students may enter this specialization in their Generalist or Specialized Practice year; priority is given to students entering their Generalist Practice year who are prepared to remain in the Institute for both Practicum years
• New, incoming students entering their Generalist Practice year must indicate their interest in this specialization during the admissions process to the MSW Program
• All other students must indicate interest in applying to this Specialization on their Practicum forms

For Prospective Students: Applying to the CHAMP Institute Fellowship

In order to apply to the CHAMP Institute, you must:

1. Attend at least one Specialized Programs information session.
2. Indicate your interest in the CHAMP Institute on your MSW program application.
3. As part of your MSW program application, submit a one-page Statement of Interest, or a 5 minute recorded video, in which you describe:
   1. Any prior experiences with the child welfare system, child maltreatment, and/or clients or client systems who have experienced trauma. If you do not have prior experience in this field, please describe other experiences that lend themselves to this work.
   2. Your particular interest in this program and the alignment of your participation with your future career plans.
   3. How you plan to manage the emotional intensity of the work you will do in the Institute.
4. Be accepted into the MSW program at NYU Silver to be considered for this opportunity.
5. Please be prepared to participate in a 20 minute interview if you have submitted your application for the Fellowship and been accepted to NYU Silver. These interviews will be scheduled via email.

If you have further questions about applying to the CHAMP Institute, please email: silver.admissions@nyu.edu

Matriculated MSW students will receive application information from the MSW Program Office and Office of Practicum Education & Community Partnerships.