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Public child welfare caseworker retention in Colorado: a mixed methods study

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dc.contributor.authorRaven, Denise M., author
dc.contributor.authorOrsi, Rebecca, advisor
dc.contributor.authorHolmquist-Johnson, Helen, committee member
dc.contributor.authorYuma, Paula, committee member
dc.contributor.authorGloeckner, Gene, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2018-06-12T16:14:10Z
dc.date.available2020-06-07T16:14:10Z
dc.date.issued2018
dc.description.abstractRetention of caseworkers in public child welfare has been a concern for the past few decades. High turnover rates can impact outcomes for children and families, and the caseworkers who remain. This sequential, explanatory, mixed methods study used both quantitative data, collected by electronic survey, and qualitative data, collected in focus groups with caseworkers and interviews with supervisors of caseworkers to learn more about caseworkers in eleven Colorado counties. Results from the survey, which included validated scales Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL), Leader-Member Exchange, and Psychological Safety showed a relatively healthy workforce in terms of psychological and organizational factors with a strong commitment to child welfare work. In line with previous research, good supervision and support from supervisors, and work team contribute to retention. One of the ProQOL subscales, compassion satisfaction, a sense of professional competence and self-efficacy, was strongly correlated with intent to stay in one's current position. Another subscale from the ProQOL, burnout, was strongly correlated with decreased intent to stay. Focus groups with caseworkers revealed other stressors not included in the survey questions that influence intent to stay or leave. These included paperwork, caseload size in relation to the amount of paperwork, upper management making policy decisions without a clear understanding of the impact on caseworkers' workloads, sometimes negative focus on deficits, lack of practice flexibility, and poor communication. Lack of communication or poor communication encompasses pending policy changes, practice changes, and the progress of efforts to improve conditions for caseworkers based on their input and requests. Recommendations for change include reducing paperwork; improving communication; improving relationships between supervisors and caseworkers, and managers and caseworkers; and removing barriers to direct service with families.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediumdoctoral dissertations
dc.identifierRaven_colostate_0053A_14750.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/189368
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectchild welfare workforce
dc.subjectmixed methods study
dc.subjectchild welfare retention
dc.subjectprofessional quality of life scale
dc.subjectleader member exchange scale
dc.titlePublic child welfare caseworker retention in Colorado: a mixed methods study
dc.typeText
dcterms.embargo.expires2020-06-07
dcterms.embargo.terms2020-06-07
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineSocial Work
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

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