SERVE

SERVE: Indigenous Social Work for Change Project welcomes individuals interested in pursuing BASW or MSW degrees who are passionate about serving Native communities and advancing high-fidelity implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). Enacted in 1978, the ICWA is a federal law that upholds the rights of Tribal nations in child welfare and ensures Native children remain connected to their families, cultures, and communities.

Regional SERVE Project Coordinators work with Tribal nations, community organizations, and 20 Schools of Social Work across California to strengthen pathways, provide training, and build professional networks.

• The SERVE project seeks to develop and expand Tribal partnerships with a goal to advance child welfare efforts that are representative of each region’s Tribes and their traditional values. 
• Funded by the California Title IV-E Education Program (Cal IV-E) in partnership with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), SERVE helps future social workers explore and navigate degree pathways while also providing mentorship and guidance once enrolled.
• Qualified, admitted students may receive financial assistance through Cal IV-E stipends that support their BASW or MSW studies and internships.

Cal IV-E Stipend Information:

Title IV-E is part of the Social Security Act managed by the Administration for Children and Families of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and provides stipends for the following students with a specialization in Public Child Welfare:

• BASW full-time students, a stipend of $20,270 for the final year of study
• MSW full-time students, a stipend of $25,000 per academic year
• Part-Time MSW and Pathway BASW & MSW* reimbursement stipends for student expenses including tuition, books and travel; dollar amounts vary by program. *Limited to current county employees, CDSS, or tribal employees.

*NOTE: Cal IV-E students are able to payback their service requirement (one year for each year of funding) working with a tribe or tribal agency/organization anywhere in the U.S..

Project Coordinators

SERVE has three designated project coordinators at universities in California's Northern, Central, and Southern regions who work in collaboration with the Title IV-E project coordinators at 20 universities statewide with Title IV-E programs. Please contact your regional SERVE project coordinator for more information:

• Northern: Cal Poly Humboldt
  • Project Coordinator: Michelle Rainer
  • [email protected]
• Central: Fresno State University
  • Project Coordinator: Zachary Zurkovsky
  • [email protected]
• Southern: San Diego State University
  • Project Coordinator: Tamara Strohauer
  • [email protected]

Map of SERVE Locations

History and Program Model

SERVE was initiated in 1981 at UC Berkeley through the American Indian/Alaskan Native Program in Social Welfare. In 1999, the program was adopted by CalSWEC and grew into a statewide effort that operated from California State University, Stanislaus, where it helped to form collaborative working relationships with 67 of 110 California Tribal agencies.

In summer 2011, SERVE was expanded and restructured in an effort to strategically increase statewide outreach and development efforts. It now operates from three distinct locations for the state’s Northern, Central and Southern regions as part of the California Title IV-E Education Program hosted by UC Davis and UCLA in partnership with the California Department of Social Services. 

• SERVE fact sheet (pdf)