HUMAN SERVICE DEPT. MARICOPA COUNTY WIDENER UNIVERSITY CENTER AGREEMENT.PDF

AFFILIATION AGREEMENT WIDENER UNIVERSITY 
CENTER FOR SOCIAL WORK 
EDUCATION 
 
 
 
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into on _____________________ by and Maricopa 
County administered by its Human Services Department ("Facility/Agency") and WIDENER 
UNIVERSITY- CENTER FOR SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION ("School") concerning social 
work field training for BSW and/or MSW students from Widener University Center for Social 
Work Education. 
 
WHEREAS, both parties desire to maintain and improve their existing standards of 
social work services and education by entering into this Agreement; and 
 
WHEREAS, both parties desire to establish and maintain a working relationship in order 
to assure maximum utilization of social work services and facilities; and 
 
WHEREAS, it is to the mutual interest of and to the mutual advantage of the parties to 
this Agreement that the field education students of School involved be given the opportunity and 
benefit of the use of existing facilities maintained by Facility/Agency; and 
 
WHEREAS, both parties are mutually desirous of cooperating in the organization and 
implementation of a social work field education program in the manner set forth in this 
Agreement. 
 
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and 
intending to be legally bound hereby, it is agreed by both parties as follows: 
 
1. 
RESPONSIBILITIES OF SCHOOL 
 
1.1 
School shall retain general responsibility and discretion for content and methods 
of instruction, supervision, control, evaluation and related matters concerning the structure of the 
social work field education program and student admission to, dismissal from and participation 
in and faculty appointments to the social work field education program. School shall be 
responsible for advising Facility/Agency regarding appropriate student assignments, especially 
as related to any known student special needs. All students shall be identified as Widener 
University - Center for Social Work field education students while at Facility/Agency. The 
activities of the students while participating in the education program at Facility/Agency shall be 
the following: learning experiences deemed appropriate for the educational level of the 
Undergraduate and Graduate students as mutually agreed upon by representatives of the 
Facility/Agency and School. 
 
1.2 
School agrees to provide the services of a coordinator of social work education 
(Director/Assistant Director of Field Education) as liaison between School and Facility/Agency. 
The Director/Assistant Director of Field Education shall establish the social work education 
objectives for the affiliation and the methods for their implementation and for the evaluation of 
their effectiveness. The Director/Assistant Director of Field Education will provide 
Facility/Agency with necessary information, including that regarding appropriate student 
assignments, prior to the student's arrival at Facility/Agency and will plan appropriate visits and 
consultation conferences in person, by phone or via virtual technology. The Director/Assistant 
Director of Field Education will supply all forms necessary for Facility/Agency to evaluate 
students in a timely and proper fashion, if Facility/Agency is so required. School will provide 
field instructors with field education policy and field calendar. 
 
1.3 
School will send to Facility/Agency only those students who possess a

satisfactory record, have met the minimum requirements established by School for the clinical 
education program and who have been educated in the performance of the skills necessary to 
participate in the social work field education program. 
 
1.4 
School agrees to offer the staff of Facility/Agency the opportunity to attend 
workshops and special social work education programs as the School shall from time to time 
conduct on campus and/or via web-based trainings. 
 
1.5 
All applicable policies, procedures, rules and regulations of Facility/Agency shall 
apply to students and faculty of School during their participation in the social work field 
education program. School shall be responsible for advising its students and faculty of this 
requirement, including the responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of all Facility/Agency 
and Client/Patient records. However, Facility/Agency agrees to allow students to use case 
material within the bounds of confidentiality to complete course assignments. 
 
1.6 
School agrees to assure that students carry and maintain malpractice liability 
insurance coverage in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 in the aggregate 
while such students are acting within the scope of the students' educational objectives at the 
Facility/Agency. School shall also maintain for School general and professional liability 
insurance in adequate amounts. School will provide a copy of its certificate of insurance coverage 
to Facility/Agency if requested. 
 
1.7 
School agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Facility/Agency, its directors, 
officers, agents and employees, from and against any and all claims, allegations of malpractice, 
demands, actions, settlements or judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, suits, costs and expenses 
whatsoever, including without limitation any and all expenses whatsoever reasonably incurred 
in connection with investigating, preparing for, or defending against any litigation, commenced 
or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, based upon or arising out of activities described in this 
Agreement, to the extent occasioned by the negligence, actions or omissions of School, its agents, 
or employees or in connection with any acts or failure to act by School, its agents, or employees. 
 
1.8 
School agrees that at Facility/Agency's request School shall withdraw a student 
or faculty member from Facility/Agency if Facility/Agency notifies School that such student or 
faculty member does not abide by the rules, regulations, policies and procedures of 
Facility/Agency, threatens Client/Patient well-being or Facility/Agency operations, or is 
otherwise detrimental to the social work field education program operations as documented by 
Facility/Agency. Such student or faculty member may not return to Facility/Agency unless both 
School and Facility/Agency agree to such return in writing. 
 
1.9 
School shall be responsible for initiating periodic reviews with the Field 
Instructor to review student progress and the social work field education program in general. 
 
1.10 
The Director/Assistant Director of Field Education, in conjunction with the 
Facility/Agency staff and the student, will assume responsibility for the selection and planning 
of the student’s learning experiences. Supervision and evaluation of student performance will be 
shared by the representatives of the Facility/Agency and School. Faculty shall visit the field 
education site to the extent necessary to provide sound direction for students and collaboration 
with the Field Instructor. Such visits will be conducted using virtual technology as appropriate. 
 
 
2. 
 RESPONSIBILITIES OF FACILITY/AGENCY 
 
2.1 
Facility/Agency agrees to designate a staff member acceptable to School as 
coordinator of social work field education (the "Facility/Agency Coordinator") who will be 
responsible for working with School and its faculty to coordinate and direct the field education

program and the students' field experience. The Facility/Agency Coordinator shall work with 
the Director/Assistant Director of Field Education to insure an approved educational program. 
The format of the field education program, including program objectives, the methods for 
objective implementation, the evaluation of objective effectiveness, student assignments, and 
schedules, shall be subject to the approval of the Facility/Agency Coordinator. 
 
2.2 
Facility/Agency shall provide supervision of a qualified Field Instructor to 
students while such students are participating in the field education portion of the Undergraduate 
and/or Graduate programs. For Undergraduate students, the field instructor shall hold the BSW 
or MSW degree and for Graduate students the field instructor shall hold the MSW degree. Field 
instructors will have a minimum of two years post graduate practice experience, and shall be 
afforded time to supervise, meet with representatives of the School, and participate in supervisory 
seminars. The Field Instructor will provide a minimum of 60 minutes individual weekly 
supervision for Undergraduate students and Graduate students and will use at least one process 
recording/tape recording weekly as a tool to focus the supervisory meeting. In the event the 
Facility/Agency is able to provide a suitable site supervisor but does not have a qualified BSW or 
MSW available to work with the intern, an off-site and/or volunteer supervisor may be assigned to 
provide the social work component of supervision. The use of an off-site Field Instructor by each 
student must be approved by the Director/ Assistant Director of Field Education. Students with 
limited experience in the field or with documented non-academic behavior issues may be required 
to be placed only at an agency that can provide on-site field instruction. When approved, off-site 
field instructors are selected and assigned by the Director/ Assistant Director of Field Education and 
will work collaboratively with the Facility/Agency-based site supervisor. 
 
2.3 
Facility/Agency shall maintain a sufficient level of staff support so that an 
assigned student will not be expected to perform in lieu of staff. 
 
2.4 
Facility/Agency will provide a field placement for student(s) for the entire 
placement experience (two semesters or three semesters for Specialization Year extended field 
students) barring unforeseen circumstances. 
 
2.5 
Facility/Agency shall provide to the student copies of all applicable rules, regulations, 
policies and procedures of the Facility/Agency including all updates of such material. 
Facility/Agency shall also be responsible for providing assigned interns with training regarding 
work place safety appropriate to the Facility/Agency as well as any necessary training for the 
performance of services through telehealth and/or teletherapy. Facility/Agency shall provide all 
personal protective equipment necessary or recommended for the performance of services 
hereunder.   
 
2.6 
Facility/Agency shall permit students or faculty of School to participate in 
Facility/Agency's educational programs, including those involving Client/Patient care, at the 
discretion of the Facility/Agency Coordinator when such participation will not interfere with 
Client/Patient care or Facility/Agency operations. 
 
2.7 
Facility/Agency will provide sufficient desk space, phone service, offices 
supplies and clerical support necessary for the performance of students’ responsibilities. 
Facility/Agency shall provide space or technology to accommodate meetings between faculty and 
students or Facility/Agency personnel as reasonably available. 
 
2.8 
When necessary and upon request of School, Facility/Agency will provide 
information and/or reports, on forms supplied by School, which may be needed by School for 
evaluation or for compliance with accreditation standards. 
 
2.9 
Facility/Agency will allow students access to the Facility/Agency's library during

normal hours of operation. 
 
2.10 Facility/Agency will allow student use of Facility/Agency's dining facilities; 
however, students are responsible for the provision of and/or payment for their own meals. 
 
2.11 
Facility/Agency shall extend to student whatever parking privileges are 
available to staff in general. 
 
2.12 
Facility/Agency agrees to indemnify and hold harmless School, its directors, 
officers, agents and employees, from and against any and all claims, allegations of malpractice, 
demands, actions, settlements or judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, suits, costs and expenses 
whatsoever, including without limitation any and all expenses whatsoever reasonably incurred in 
connection with investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or 
threatened, or any claim whatsoever, based upon or arising out of activities described in this 
Agreement, to the extent occasioned by the negligence, actions or omissions of Facility/Agency, 
its agents, or employees, or in connection with any acts or failure to act by Facility/Agency, its 
agents or employees. 
 
2.13 
Facility/Agency will maintain responsibility for the services to all Client/Patients 
and/or their families at all times irrespective of student assignment and/or participation. 
 
2.14 
Facility/Agency will provide observational and participatory experience in the 
designated clinical/administrative areas necessary to satisfy the School's course requirements. 
 
2.15 
Facility/Agency will provide orientation including clinical/administrative areas 
and selected Client/Patient units as may be appropriate for the students and faculty to the extent 
necessary for them to function adequately and appropriately in the Facility/Agency. 
 
2.16 
Facility/Agency will have a written understanding in regard to reimbursement 
and insurance coverage with students who are expected to use their own or agency automobiles 
in performing practicum assignments. Facility/Agency will provide for all student travel approved 
by the Field Instructor and occurring on behalf of Facility/Agency or its Client/Patients by 
reimbursing students for use of private cars at the same mileage rate provided to agency 
employees, or reimbursing students for the cost of public transportation. Facility/Agency will 
not require students to transport clients as part of their practicum tasks/assignments.  
 
3. 
 GENERAL TERMS 
 
3.1 
It is mutually agreed upon that no student shall use Facility/Agency’s clinical 
facilities after the end of the student's clinical day unless authoritative Facility/Agency personnel 
are present. Should the Facility/Agency choose to retain the student beyond the provisions of the 
field calendar, then the Facility/Agency and student must enter into a separate agreement. 
 
3.2 
Facility/Agency shall not assume responsibility for student or faculty members' 
medical care other than first aid and/or emergency treatment not covered by insurance which is 
necessitated by an injury sustained while participating in the activities of the social work field 
program at the Facility/Agency. 
 
3.3 
Neither party shall consider the students or faculty members to be employees of 
or agents of Facility/Agency, and Facility/Agency shall retain no financial obligations with 
respect to the students other than as provided in 2.16 above for transportation expenses incurred 
by students. 
 
3.4 
Both parties agree that in the performance of this Agreement, there will be no

discrimination against any student or employee on account of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, 
religion, ancestry, age, national origin, disability or any other class protected by federal, state or 
local law. Receipt by either party of evidence of such discrimination shall be cause for termination 
of this Agreement. 
 
3.5 
The initial term of this Agreement shall be one year from the date first entered 
and thereafter from year to year unless terminated by either party. 
 
3.6 
Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time upon sixty (60) days’ prior 
written notice. Either party may also terminate this Agreement at any time if the other party 
defaults in any way of its obligations, but only if such default shall have continued for a period 
of thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice thereof by the other party. In any event, students 
then participating in the social work field education program shall be entitled to complete the 
current program. 
 
3.7 
This Agreement represents the entire understanding of the parties with respect to 
the subject matter covered herein and supersedes and nullifies any previous agreements between 
the parties. 
 
3.8 
An annual review by the Director/Assistant Director of Field Education and 
Facility/Agency Coordinator shall be held for the purpose of evaluating and developing student 
training opportunities at the Facility/Agency. 
 
3.9 
This Agreement may be amended only in writing and any amendments hereto 
must be signed by authorized representatives of School and the Facility/Agency. 
 
3.10 
This Agreement shall not constitute, nor shall it be construed or deemed to 
constitute, a partnership or joint venture between the parties hereto. On the contrary, such parties 
shall remain separate corporate entities, and each shall continue to conduct its own business and 
affairs under the control of its own officers and Board of Directors or Trustees, as the case may 
be with each Board of Directors or Trustees remaining solely responsible in all respects for the 
management and conduct of the business and affairs of its institution. The parties acknowledge 
that students are not employees of the Facility/Agency or School. 
 
3.11 
Any notices to be provided under this Agreement shall be made by hand delivery 
or sent by nationally recognized overnight courier service or certified or registered mail, return 
receipt requested, to the parties as addressed below: 
 
WITH A COPY (which shall not constitute notice) TO: 
 
TO UNIVERSITY: 
Linda K. Gilbert 
Vice President for Administration and Finance 
Widener University 
One University Place 
Chester, PA 19013 
 
Michelle Brandt, MSW, LSW 
Director of Field Education 
Center for Social Work Education 
Widener University 
One University Place 
Chester, PA  19013 
 
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Rocco P. Imperatrice, III, Esquire 
Lamb McErlane, P.C. 
3405 West Chester Pike 
Newtown Square, PA 19073 
 
 
Agency:  
Maricopa County Human Services Department 
Jayson Matthews, Assistant Director Senior Adult Services 
234 North Central, 3rd Floor 
Phoenix AZ 85004 
O: 602-506-4936 C: 602-214-3264 
 
Notices shall be effective upon delivery or upon refusal to accept delivery. 
 
3.12 
Any disputes which arise under or pursuant to this Agreement shall be brought in  
the Superior Court of Maricopa County, and subject to the laws of the State of Arizona.,. 
 
 
3.13 
Each of the parties hereto agrees to keep strictly confidential and to hold in 
trust all confidential information of the other and not disclose any such information to any third 
party without the express prior written consent of the other party hereto, unless otherwise 
required by law. 
 
3.14 
This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the express prior 
written consent of the other party. 
 
3.15 
All paragraph and other headings and captions are for convenience of reference 
only and shall not be used in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. 
 
3.16 
Neither party shall be liable or responsible for any failure or delay in the 
performance of its obligations hereunder due to causes beyond the reasonable control of the party 
affected or its agents, representatives, contractors or vendors, including, but not limited to, war, 
sabotage, insurrection, epidemics, pandemics, earthquakes, terrorism, riot or other act of civil 
disobedience, strikes or other labor shortages, accident, fire, explosion, flood, hurricane, severe 
weather or acts of God. 
 
 
[Signatures contained on the following page]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by 
their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above written. 
 
 
FOR UNIVERSITY:  
 
By: _________________________________
  
Linda Kiraly Gilbert 
Vice President for Administration  
and Finance  
 
Date: ________________________ 
  
FOR FACILITY/AGENCY: 
Maricopa County  
 
By:________________________________  
Clint Hickman, Chairman 
Board of Supervisors 
 
 
Date: __________________  
  
 
Attested to: 
 
 
_____________________________ 
Juanita Garza 
Clerk of the Board 
 
Date: _________________ 
 
 
Approved as to Form: 
 
 
_____________________________ 
Deputy County Attorney 
 
 
Date: __________________ 
 
5/18/23