Building Your WorkforceUsing One Tool at a Time

Presented by:

Mary Berg, MSW

What do you know?

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In one study, the average cost of turnover was $10,000.

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Recent research has shown that staff turnover has no effect on maltreatment recurrence rates.

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In one study, factors that led to lower turnover were increased salaries, a policy of no on-call work, and a strong effort to complete and approve case plans.

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There is a 30% chance of a child achieving permanency in 12 months when she has had two workers.

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Turnover results in all of these issues:

* Unrealistic workloads/caseloads* Unpredictable hours * Too much paperwork* Lack of quality supervision

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The Western Regional Recruitment & Retention Project (WRRRP)

• University of Denver was one of eight federal child welfare training grants focusing on staff recruitment and retention

• Five sites in the greater Rocky Mountain region: Colorado, Arizona, and Wyoming

• Urban and rural child welfare settings• Jefferson County

The Western Regional Recruitment & Retention Project (WRRRP)

• Strong focus on developing and implementing a team model for organizational change.

• Technical assistance to provide assessment and strategic planning.

• Technical support for implementing site specific organizational intervention.

• Development and delivery of specific training to meet site needs.

• Project tools, resources and trainings.

Jefferson County Getting Started

• Commitment from top leadership• Broad representation of all levels on

steering committee • Organizational assessment• Surveys and focus groups• Listen and accept reality• Organizational culture change necessary• OD is a slow, steady process

Recruitment

Selection

Training

Retention

Strategic Planning

• Supervision (Yankeelov, Barbee, Sullivan, & Antle, 2009; Strand & Bosco-Ruggiero, 2008; WRRRP, 2007; Scanapieco & Connell-Carrick, 2007; Strolin-Goltzman, Auerbach, McGowan, & McCarthy, 2008)

• Work-life fit (Strolin-Goltzman, 2008; SUNY, 2006; Strolin-Goltzman et al., 2008)

• Organizational culture (Ellett, 2009, Strand & Bosco-Ruggiero, 2008; Weaver, Chang, Clark, & Rhee, 2007)

• Job Stress (Kim & Stoner, 2008; Hopkins & Cohen-Callow, 2007)

Factors most influencing Retention

• Job Satisfaction (WRRRP, 2007; Weaver et al, 2007; SUNY, 2006; Strolin-Goltzman, 2008)

• Training (Strand & Bosco-Ruggiero, 2008; Scanapieco & Connell-Carrick, 2007, SUNY, 2006)

• Caseloads (Scanpieco & Connell-Carrick, 2007; Weaver et al, 2007)

• Clarity & Coherence (Strolin-Goltzman, 2008; WRRRP, 2007; SUNY, 2006)

Factors most influencing Retention

• Identify the issue

• Develop solutions using multiple strategies

• Issue Solution

Implementation Approach

Recruitment Issue / Solution

• Issue: Caseworkers surprised about the challenges of the position and resign within months after being hired Solution: Inform applicants about position with a Realistic Job Preview video

Recruitment Issue / Solution

• Issue: Staff applicant pools do not meet the cultural/language needs of clients.Solution: Partner with bilingual radio station for recruitment efforts.

• Issue: Random approach to interviewing and screening of new applicants

Solution: Develop standard questions and best practice answers.

Role play and interactive case scenarios.

Selection Issue/Solution

Training Issues / Solutions

• Issue: Ill-prepared workforceSolution: Provide standard On the Job Training with competency standards, structured practice and evaluation.Develop continuous training opportunities and tracks.

Retention Issues / Solutions

• Issue: Fear based organizational culture

Solution: Leadership training

and organizational culture and practice change

Retention Issues / Solutions

• Issue: Work/life balance Solution: Flexible/ Alternative work schedules

• Issue: Vacant positions from turnover (workload distribution)Solution: Pre-vacancy positions

Impact on PracticeCFSR Outcomes

• Re-entry into out of home care

• SFY 05-06 - 14.4% • SFY 06-07 - 13.4% • SFY 07-08 - 11.8%

• Re-involvement

• SFY 05-06 – 11.2%• SFY 06-07 – 9.4%• SFY 07-08 – 7.7%

Questions