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In search of innovation: A national qualitative analysis of child welfare recruitment and retention efforts

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  • Gomez, Rebecca J.
  • Travis, Dnika J.
  • Ayers-Lopez, Susan
  • Schwab, A. James

Abstract

This national qualitative study explores recruitment and retention strategies within state child welfare agencies and the perceived effectiveness of these strategies. The study includes a national review of 50 state child welfare websites, and qualitative interviews with 18 individuals in 13 states. The findings highlight agencies' identification and investment of similar types of recruitment and retention efforts; yet agencies still grapple with elevated turnover rates despite continued efforts. This article comprehensively explored national utilized and underutilized strategies that have been employed to help alleviate child welfare recruitment and retention challenges. Further, mechanisms for overcoming and promoting innovation to understand the effectiveness of child welfare recruitment and retention strategies are addressed.

Suggested Citation

  • Gomez, Rebecca J. & Travis, Dnika J. & Ayers-Lopez, Susan & Schwab, A. James, 2010. "In search of innovation: A national qualitative analysis of child welfare recruitment and retention efforts," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 664-671, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:32:y:2010:i:5:p:664-671
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ellett, Alberta J. & Ellis, Jacquelyn I. & Westbrook, Tonya M. & Dews, Denise', 2007. "A qualitative study of 369 child welfare professionals' perspectives about factors contributing to employee retention and turnover," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(2), pages 264-281, February.
    2. Cohen, Burton J. & Kinnevy, Susan C. & Dichter, Melissa E., 2007. "The quality of work life of child protective investigators: A comparison of two work environments," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(4), pages 474-489, April.
    3. McBeath, Bowen & Briggs, Harold E. & Aisenberg, Eugene, 2009. "The role of child welfare managers in promoting agency performance through experimentation," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(1), pages 112-118, January.
    4. Chris Yapp, 2005. "Innovation, Futures Thinking and Leadership," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(1), pages 57-60, January.
    5. David Albury, 2005. "Fostering Innovation in Public Services," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(1), pages 51-56, January.
    6. Jean Hartley, 2005. "Innovation in Governance and Public Services: Past and Present," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(1), pages 27-34, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rentea, Georgiana Cristina & Lazăr, Florin & Munch, Shari & Gaba, Daniela & Mihai, Anca & Ciocănel, Alexandra, 2021. "Perceived needs and barriers related to continuing professional development of child protection social workers in Romania," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    2. Pharris, Angela B. & Munoz, Ricky T. & Hellman, Chan M., 2022. "Hope and resilience as protective factors linked to lower burnout among child welfare workers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).
    3. Burns, Kenneth & Christie, Alastair, 2013. "Employment mobility or turnover? An analysis of child welfare and protection employee retention," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 340-346.
    4. Douin, Trisha A. & Moore, Christa J., 2024. "Conveying gendered power through bureaucratic websites: A symbolic analysis of mediated child welfare culture," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    5. Radey, Melissa & Stanley, Lauren, 2018. "“Hands on” versus “empty”: Supervision experiences of frontline child welfare workers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 128-136.
    6. Zeitlin, Wendy & Chakravarty, Sreyashi & Lawrence, Catherine & DeCristofano, Angela, 2019. "Direct practice contact: Predicting frontline child welfare workers' time with clients," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 9-15.
    7. Modderman, Corina & Threlkeld, Guinever & McPherson, Lynne, 2017. "Transnational social workers in statutory child welfare: A scoping review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 21-28.
    8. Chen, Yi-Yi & Park, Jisung & Park, Aely, 2012. "Existence, relatedness, or growth? Examining turnover intention of public child welfare caseworkers from a human needs approach," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(10), pages 2088-2093.

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