Strengthening the public child welfare workforce anchors this project through a sustained partnership between The University of Texas at El Paso School of Social Work and Region 10 child welfare leadership. Ongoing collaboration builds on documented success in permanency outcomes while exploring expansion into additional service divisions. Academic preparation remains central, with Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work graduates entering the field equipped with the knowledge, values, and skills required for public child welfare practice. Many graduates secure positions with contract agencies that support foster care and adoption services, thereby reinforcing workforce capacity across the region. Support from the federal Title IV-E program provides stipends for Master of Social Work students while also enabling joint development of specialized training that strengthens readiness for advanced practice and leadership within Child Protective Services. Responding rapidly to real-world challenges demonstrates the strength of this partnership. Recent surges in foster youth without placements required temporary housing within Child Protective Services offices, creating heightened stress and safety concerns for both youth and staff. Targeted training developed by the School of Social Work addressed immediate needs by equipping staff with de-escalation strategies grounded in a strengths-based social work approach and ecological systems theory. Integration of this applied curriculum into the Master of Social Work program directly enhances casework skills required for foster care administration. Measurable outcomes include increased competencies among caseworkers, investigators, and supervisors, improved workforce preparedness, and stronger retention across Region 10, supporting long-term stability and effectiveness in child welfare services.