Northwestern Department of Social Work Selects 2024-2025 CWPEP Recipients

November 6, 2024

The 2024-2025 Child Welfare Professional Enhancement Program recipients are (left to right): Kyra Hussey, Okeene senior; and Cammi Rogge, Alva senior.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s Department of Social Work has named two students as stipend recipients of the Child Welfare Professional Enhancement Program (CWPEP) for the 2024-25 academic year.

The recipients are Kyra Hussey, senior from Okeene and Cammi Rogge, senior from Alva.

CWPEP provides funds for students who plan careers in child welfare services in Oklahoma.

"I am truly grateful for the opportunity to participate in this program,” Hussey said. “It will significantly enhance my education and contribute to my future career as a professional social worker."

The stipends are awarded to full-time students majoring in social work and provide money toward educational expenses to participating students. Students who receive the stipends complete educational internships in child welfare agencies within the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS). Upon graduation, students are assured employment in the participating DHS programs. 

"I am both honored and enthusiastic to be accepted into the CWPEP program,” Rogge said. “This opportunity will deepen my understanding of child welfare and enhance my professional skills, equipping me to make a meaningful impact in the field."     

CWPEP is a Title IV-E partnership between the University of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Council. The University of Oklahoma manages the child welfare consortium with Northwestern along with East Central University and Oral Roberts University. Funding for the educational program is provided by Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, called the Child Welfare Training Program. 

“The social work program is proud to administer the CWPEP program and play an essential role in securing and retaining quality social workers in the public child welfare system,” said Dr. Kylene Rehder, department of social work chair, CWPEP coordinator, and professor of social work. “CWPEP at Northwestern has graduated 24 students, resulting in $186,200 awarded in educational assistance.” 

For more information on Northwestern’s Department of Social Work, contact Rehder at (580) 327-8135 or kdrehder@nwosu.edu. 

-NW-

CONTACT FOR RELEASE:
Sean J. Doherty, University Relations Specialist
sjdoherty@nwosu.edu | 580-327-8480