To: Board of Supervisors
From: Ellen McDonnell, Public Defender
Report Title: Master of Social Work Fellowship Program with Bluffton University and Goshen College
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Public Defender, or designee, to execute an Affiliation Agreement with Bluffton University and Goshen College, a non-profit educational institution, to establish a Master of Social Work (MSW) Fellowship Program with the Public Defender’s Office for the period August 29, 2025 through August 28, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to the County, as this is a non-financial agreement.
BACKGROUND:
CCPD recognizes the increasing demand for skilled professionals who can effectively address the complex legal, social, and psychological needs of clients involved in the criminal justice system. To strengthen its capacity and enhance services, CCPD seeks approval to enter into a Master of Social Work (MSW) fellowship program with Bluffton University and Goshen College. This partnership will provide graduate students with the opportunity to gain direct experience in public defense work, particularly in supporting clients with mental health and substance use challenges.
This collaboration provides CCPD with additional professional support to better serve clients, while offering the educational institution valuable field experience opportunities that enrich their MSW students’ education and professional development. The program aims to improve client outcomes, foster holistic defense strategies, and ensure a more comprehensive approach to justice for individuals facing criminal charges.
The MSW student intern began their placement with the Public Defender’s Social Work unit on August 29, 2025. The request for Board approval was delayed because Goshen College did not provide sufficient review time for county groups to review and due to the contractual obligations including those listed below that required further negotiations between the County, Bluffton University, and Goshen College and ultimately requiring Board approval.
The student has completed the appropriate volunteer paperwork and the agreement outlines each party’s responsibilities and includes liability and indemnification language. Their scope of work has been communicated to Risk Management, and the terms of the agreement obligate Goshen College to “carry for each qualified student Professional liability insurance covering all liability incurred by each student that arises out of and during the course of each such student’s activities under the terms of this Agreement.” This should not be an issue for either party nor require the volunteer to seek additional professional liability insurance since the student will not be providing clinical or therapeutic services. Additionally, indemnification language outlined in section E.3(b), states Goshen College will indemnify the County from any potential risk where the student intern is concerned.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this agreement is not approved, CCPD will not implement the Master of Social Work Fellowship Program with Bluffton University and Goshen College.