CATCH-ME Stipend

The Community Access to Child Health in Maine

CATCH-ME provides a $10,000 stipend to students in their advanced year who make a commitment to complete a field practicum in a site that serves school aged children, adolescents, emerging adults and their families/caregiving systems at risk for mental illness, substance abuse and/or engaging in harmful behaviors. 

CATCH-ME Stipend Application Guidelines

To be eligible for the CATCH-ME stipend you must apply and be accepted to the UNE School of Social Work campus-based program as a full-time Advanced Standing student.

Only applicants to the full-time Advanced Standing MSW campus program may apply for the CATCH-ME stipend. For students entering the MSW program with a BSW as Advanced Standing students, CATCH-ME stipends may be awarded at the time of acceptance and will be distributed throughout students’ fall and spring semesters. In order to receive optimal consideration for a CATCH-ME stipend, early application and acceptance to the UNE-SSW is encouraged. In addition to UNE-SSW admission criteria, stipend recipients must:

  1. Be accepted into the UNE-SSW for full-time study.
  2. Demonstrate evidence of work or volunteer experience with at-risk children, adolescents, emerging adults and family systems.
  3. Demonstrate a commitment to work on an interdisciplinary team, with community partner agencies in line with SSW and UNE’s Center for Excellence in Collaborative Education’s shared mission and core values. 
  4. Submit a CATCH-ME Application and a concise narrative statement providing clear and coherent responses to each of the following:
    • Tell us about your experiences working with at-risk populations including children, youth and family systems?
    • Describe your learning goals and professional aspirations.
    • Discuss your experience with interprofessional/interdisciplinary teams. What are your thoughts about the strengths and challenges of collaborative practice?
  5. Submit one letter of reference, from health professionals, former supervisors or mentors who work with at-risk children, youth and their families, that address the following questions:
    • In what capacity do you know the Stipend applicant?
    • Describe the strengths of the applicant and her/his interest and experience in working with high-risk youth and families. Please include any challenges you foresee that might impede his/her success in this program.
    • Identify the applicant’s motivation and capacity to function in a group or team. Please note if the applicant has had prior experience with interprofessional education and practice.
  6. Sign a Letter of Commitment agreeing to fulfill all UNE-School of Social Work required field education in a CATCH-ME Project Partner Agency.

Apply

If you are interested in more information about the CATCH-ME Project or applying for a CATCH-ME stipend, please contact Dr. Shelley Cohen Konrad.