FRESNO STATE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION
TITLE IV-E BSW CHILD WELFARE PROGRAM
BSW REFERENCE FORM
DATE:
APPLICANT NAME:
REFERENCE NAME:
The above named individual is applying for acceptance into the Title IV-E BSW Child Welfare Stipend
Program for the academic year of at CSU/UC at _____________________.
The curriculum for this program is designed to educate and prepare individuals for a beginning level of
professional practice within the field of Public Child Welfare. We are seeking individuals who possess a
genuine and sincere interest in and commitment to working with at risk children and families within the child
welfare system. Because of the challenging nature of this field of practice, it is vitally important that
individuals demonstrate the qualities and skills necessary to problem solve and meet the special critical needs
present in diverse populations. We are therefore seeking those candidates who strongly represent and adhere to
the principles reflected in the NASW Code of Ethics to maintain the standards of the profession of Social
Work.
This student has selected you as a source of reference. We are depending upon you to provide us with the
information to help us access this student’s suitability to meet the expectations of this program. We strongly
believe that it is unethical to admit an applicant who is not committed to working with children and families,
whose ability to successfully complete the program is doubtful, or who is not suited for the professional role of
Child Welfare Worker. Your thoughtful evaluation of this student’s potential and readiness for professional
practice and specialization in the field of child welfare is very important to us.
We thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter and ask you to please respond to the following
questions. If you need more space, you are welcome to expand your responses on a separate sheet.
1. How long and in what capacity have you known the applicant?
years months
(Specify capacity: supervisor, professor, Advisor, etc.)
2. Please explain what you consider to be the applicant’s major areas of strength as a candidate
for the specialization in child welfare practice?