Child Welfare Workforce Development: Shared Success & Future Directions Kansas Council for Social Work Education April 5, 2013

Ongoing turnover Organizational climate & culture Demanding & stressful nature of child welfare work Workforce Challenges & Solutions Supervision & Stress Preparation & Fit Thriving through Change

RECRUITMENT: Preparation & Fit Kansas Child Welfare Scholars Program Child Welfare Days Realistic Job Previews CW Agency/SW Educator Dialogue Teaching High School Students about Social Work and Child Welfare

39 Social Workers working in Kansas Child Welfare 24 BSW or MSW students committed to Kansas CW Kansas Child Welfare Scholars Program

Kansas Child Welfare Scholars

Agency Scholars 49 Total Scholars 31 Graduates, all have met employment requirement or are in progress 16 in progress (good standing) 2 in default, 1 has delayed schooling Student Scholars 18 Total Scholars 10 Graduates, 8 have met employment requirement or are in progress 8 in progress (good standing) 1 has delayed due to grad school, 1 has opted to pay back

Realistic Job Preview (RJP) A recruitment strategy that provides job applicants with balanced information about the job to facilitate a better fit between the needs of applicants and demands of the workplace. (Graef, 2008)

Purpose of RJP Provide applicants with accurate understanding of job and organization – Complex/difficult work – “Invisible positions” Allows for informed decision making about seeking employment – Use as early in the process as possible Increase job satisfaction and reduced turnover – High rates of early turnover

Child Welfare in Kansas – Where You Can Make a Difference

Specific Jobs in Child Welfare Intake and Investigation Family Preservation Kinship Foster Care Foster Family Support Adoption

Calendars

Anne-Marie’s Video Blog

Frequently Asked Questions I’ve heard the child welfare system in Kansas is privatized. What does that mean?. How much time will I spend on paperwork? How often will I have to respond to crisis situations? How closely do social workers work with the courts and legal professionals? How do child welfare professionals maintain balance between work and personal lives?

Glossary & Acronyms: How do I find out more?

Social Work Where You Can Make a Difference A High School Career Path Series

Career Path Series – Social Work Introduction & Overview – Social Work--- Child Welfare Realistic Job Preview – Student’s Guide Realistic Job Preview – Teacher’s Guide Elements of Social Work – Student’s Guide Elements of Social Work – Teacher’s Guide – Recommended HS classes – Kansas Social Work Programs – NASW Code of Ethics & Ethical Principles

Ethical Principle: Service – Exercises: Understanding Poverty Ethical Principle: Social Justice – Exercise: Tools for Dialogue – Exercise: Understanding Culture Ethical Principle: Dignity & Worth of Person – Exercise: Nature of Respect Ethical Principle: Human Relationships – Exercise: Connection with Family Ethical Principle: Competence – Exercise: Observation and Documentation

RETENTION: Supervision & Stress Best Practice & Bright Ideas Exchange Supervisor Skills Training/Videos Agency-specific Training/TA – “Welcome Home” Rural/Frontier Initiative Workplace Stress – Secondary Traumatic Stress Curricula

What Supervisor Dimensions Influence Retention? Task Assistance Social and Emotional Support Interpersonal Interaction

Provide assistance with tasks Offer work-related advice and instruction Coach workers Support training and learning Task Assistance

Listen as workers discuss job difficulties Recognize emotional needs Acknowledge and reward good work Make supportive statements Clarify role and responsibilities Encourage help seeking Encourage positive thinking Be warm, friendly and respectful with workers Social and Emotional Support

Project a sense of emotional closeness Encourage staff to share the organizational vision Encourage a sense of competence Interact as professionals Encourage co-workers to support each other Interpersonal Interaction

Supervisor Skill Development Brief Videos Training Transfer of Learning Advanced Videos

Worker Stress Child Welfare Worker Stress Inventory Sources of Stress for Kansas CW Workers Reducing Child Welfare Worker Stress: Inventory and Intervention Implementation Guide Secondary Traumatic Stress Curriculum

THRIVING through Change Contract Change Study Future Directions

Kansas Child Welfare Contract Change Study Pre/post surveys (60 day prior/following) with front-line staff Focus groups with staff and supervisors  Job function  Job change  Job involvement  Work-related stress  Job satisfaction  Organizational commitment  Intent to stay in child welfare  Supports (agency & other)

Future Directions in Kansas Child Welfare Workforce Development Discussion

Kansas Workforce Initiative

Contacts Michelle Levy (785) Kathi Holt (620) Justin Thaw (785) Roxanne Emmert- Davis (785)