CalOptima Offers Stipend at Cal State Fullerton to Entice Next Generation of Social Workers

Officials from CalOptima, which offers public health insurance in Orange County, present a $5 million check to California State University–Fullerton to support students pursuing a master’s degree in the school’s social worker program at a press conference in Fullerton, Calif., on May 15, 2023. (Courtesy of CalOptima)

CalOptima, which offers public health insurance in Orange County, will invest $5 million in stipends over the next five years for California State University–Fullerton students pursuing a master’s degree in the school’s social worker program, according to a May 16 press release issued by the agency.

Qualifying students, starting next fall, will receive $20,000 a year in exchange for committing to two years of full-time work in public health settings or CalOptima contracted agencies post-graduation.

“The generous stipend will serve as a major incentive for students to pursue an advanced degree in social work, a field that is experiencing a critical shortage of trained professionals,” said Framroze Virjee, president of the college, in the same press release. “We are grateful for the funding.”

Officials from CalOptima, which offers public health insurance in Orange County, present a $5 million check to California State University–Fullerton to support students pursuing a master’s degree in the school’s social worker program at a press conference in Fullerton, Calif., on May 15, 2023. (Courtesy of CalOptima)

Although a shortage of social workers currently exists nationwide, CalOptima CEO Michael Hunn reported during a May 15 press conference there are currently 200 open positions for social workers in Orange County alone.

“The stipend program will encourage more people to become social workers by removing financial barriers to obtaining the necessary education and training to enter the field,” CalOptima spokesperson Jamie Rizzutio told The Epoch Times.

According to Virjee, the CalOptima Board chose the Fullerton college because it is the only public institute in Orange County to offer a master’s in social work. The program’s focus is child welfare, mental health, and aging.

The program was approved by the CalOptima Board of Directors, which is composed of county supervisors and representatives of local medical care agencies.

California State University–Fullerton in Fullerton, Calif., on March 8, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

“With Orange County facing a mental health and opioid crisis, it’s more important now than ever before to inspire [masters of social work] students to pursue a career in the public healthcare system,” said Orange County Supervisor Doug Chaffee—a board member—in the press release.

Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, who is also a CalOptima board member, said the program will not only help the students, but also those in need in the county.

“[It] will serve as an incentive for students to join the Orange County workforce, increasing the number of social workers in our community and leading to improved support and services for our most at-risk population,” he said in the press release.