1. State of Delaware: The Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families DELAWARE CHILDREN’S DEPARTMENT ‘Think of the Child First’ CWLA NATIONAL CONFERENCE – 2004 SIZE MATTERS: ACHIEVING OPTIMAL CASELOADS FOR CHILD WELFARE WORKERS CARLYSE GIDDINS, DIRECTOR DIVISION OF FAMILY SERVICES

2. State of Delaware: The Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families WHERE WE WERE - MID-1990s! High Caseloads Child Deaths Independent Review Panels Intense Public, Media and Legislative Scrutiny Poor Staff Morale ‘Think of the Child First’

3. State of Delaware: The Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families OUR JOURNEY….. Role of Community Advocacy Groups Union/Council 81’s Rally of Support Legislative Support Media Awareness Child Protection Accountability Commission ‘Think of the Child First’

4. State of Delaware: The Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families OUR JOURNEY….. Senate Bill 142 – Caseload Standards Investigation – 14 Families Protective Treatment/Adoption – 18 Five Caseworkers Per Supervisor ‘Think of the Child First’

5. State of Delaware: The Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families The Journey Continues….. Retention Initiatives Hiring Process Pre-interview Video Training Core Curriculum – 125 hours Coaching Supervisors and Coaching Units Supervisory Competency Training Career Ladder New worker training pool – 15 staff ‘Think of the Child First’

6. State of Delaware: The Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families DEPARTMENT TRANSFORMATION Vision – Think of the Child First Mission – Leadership and Advocacy Strategic Initiatives Child Focused System Holistic Services Inspired Workforce Leading Edge Management Dedicated Partnership ‘Think of the Child First’

7. State of Delaware: The Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families WHERE WE ARE – 2004 CHILD SAFETY IS # 1 PRIORITY! Governor’s Executive Order # 7 – January 2001 Dramatically Reduced Turnover Experienced Staff Lower Caseloads Improved Employee Morale Increased Teamwork Across Functions Improved Quality and Consistency of our Work Child and Family Service Review Results ‘Think of the Child First’

8. State of Delaware: The Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families Performance Measures FY 04 – First Half Caseworker Turnover ‘Think of the Child First’

9. State of Delaware: The Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT…. Partnered with Union Staff – Investigation Retention Committee Ongoing Support and Collaboration with Child Advocate Groups ‘Think of the Child First’

10. State of Delaware: The Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families Assessment & Evaluation Child Protection Accountability Commission Senate Bill 142 Sub-committee Workload Management Study ‘Think of the Child First’

11. State of Delaware: The Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families Thank You Think of the Child First! ‘Think of the Child First’