Lucas County Children Services is offering a new fellowship program to encourage students studying fields other than social work to consider a career in child protective services.
The paid program allows students working toward bachelor’s degrees in fields such as sociology, psychology, criminal justice or family studies; or who have earned associate’s degrees in any of those fields or social work, learn the skills needed to become a child protective services caseworker. “Child protection casework requires skills like time management, critical thinking, engagement, and de-escalation,” says AnneVictoria Smith, professional development coordinator for LCCS. “Our hope is that the fellowship students learn all that and more and consider making this a career.”
LCCS implemented the fellowship program after Renee Lewis, assistant manager of the department of family services, and Matt Carter, assessment supervisor, learned of its success at a leadership development conference in 2024. LCCS directors welcomed the idea and recruited the first two fellows for the Fall 2025 semester.
Kiera Bonds is studying family science and human development at Bowling Green State University; she wants to learn how to de-escalate situations and to manage her schoolwork and her 26 hours a week at LCCS. Kiera is assigned to the Family Services Department, helping other caseworkers as they interact with families on their caseloads.
The second fellow, Angelica Molotta, is a senior at the University of Toledo, majoring in psychology and criminal justice. She is assigned to the Assessments Department, where she is helping to document abuse investigations and calls to the child abuse hotline. “There are so many laws that they don’t teach you in regular classes, and I am learning a lot,” says Angelica.
The biggest benefit that the fellowship program offers LCCS is the way it is preparing potential candidates to join the agency as child welfare caseworkers, a field that has experienced shortages of incoming employees both in Ohio and nationwide. “These students become temporary employees of the agency, and the State of Ohio is covering the cost of their stipends”, says LCCS’ Smith. “It’s a win-win for everyone,” she concludes.