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Daily Update August 21,
2014-
SR 973
Senate Child Protection
Study Committee meeting August 19, 2014
The Senate Child Protection
Study Committee met August 19, 2014. Senators Tate and Butler
attended the meeting in which presentations were delivered by NASW
representatives and Karl Lehman, director of Childkind. NASW
representatives included Cheryl Bonneau, Sonya Hunte, Alberta Ellet,
and Nancy Kropf.
Highlights of the NASW presentation included:
- Headliners, Citizens and Child Welfare
Viewed as Social Worker Domain
- Recruitment and Retention
- Knowledge, Skills and Values of Qualified Child Protection Worker
- NASWGA's Recommendation for Recruiting Qualified Child Protection
Worker
- Statistics
NASW representatives shared that data shows better outcomes
correlated to degreed staff. It was reported that nationally
fewer than 30% working with the state are degreed Social Workers -
some states are as low as 3%. Georgia DFCS employs 20% professional
degreed social workers.
Recruitment and retention issues related to challenges include high
case loads, inadequate training, little to no case management
experience, and salaries. MSW starting salary at DFCS is $36K
compared to Education which is $20K more - they also are not on call
and have more time off.
NASW recommendations include:
- BSW for front line staff (case management)
- MSW with experience or Clinical Social Worker for
supervisor/intake
- CSW Worker of LCSW for administrator/managers
- MSW (with a LCSW), BSW with an MPA, MPH or DSW, PhD with an MA in
Social Work for agency
NASW representatives further shared that
there are currently 10 schools of Social Work in Georgia, which is
enough to fill positions, if they get back IV-E funding. With
the loss of IV-E there has been a loss of instructors and class
sizes are shrinking. Also, the Affordable Care Act is shifting
attention to mental health where salaries are higher. NASW
representatives suggested that DFCS and legislative support is
needed to help with the federal match to get this back up and
running. The desire to is reinstate within a year.
Karl Lehman submitted the importance of social work, data and
summary. He reiterated NASW's position noting that
degreed Social Workers are a good investment. Reference was made to
a 2012 CPS Advisory Committee survey that reflects tenure at DFCS as
follows:
6+ years - 52%
1-5 years - 28%
less than 1 year - 20%
It was suggested that there is an important opportunity around staff
mentoring.
Statistics reflected DFCS workers' initial
excitement and satisfaction with their job declined sharply after
six months employment.
Karl noted there has been no cost of living raises, staff continue
to work after hours and they do not receive hazard pay. It was
suggested that consideration could be given to performance based
incentives.
Karl framed the current challenge emphasizing the impact of the
2008-2010 budget cuts. Georgia experienced a 31% cut, which was
higher than any other state. We are now realizing the impact of
this reduction and lack of resources.
Recommendations included caution about
massive change to DFCS in the coming year. Karl further recommended
to establish ongoing joint committees to address outcomes to which DFCS is held.
Karl provided information on
Assessing Promising Approaches in Child Welfare:
Strategies for State Legislators
The overall picture from both
presentations is that the field is under qualified and under sourced
resulting in impact on outcomes and safety.
Next meeting Sept 22, 2014
http://www.gahsc.org/ms/2014/Senate Child Protection Study Committee
Presentation (2).pdf
http://www.gahsc.org/ms/2014/promising_approaches_childwelfare
(1).pdf
SR 973
Members of the Senate Child
Protection Study Committee:
Sen. Horacena Tate (D-Atlanta),
Chair
Sen. Charlie Bethel (R-Dalton)
Sen. Gloria Butler (D-Stone
Mountain)
Sen. Fran Millar (R-Atlanta)
Sen. Ron Ramsey (D-Decatur)
Sen. Renee
Unterman (R-Buford)
First Hearing – 7/29/2014
TOGETHER GEORGIA is the new name of
our state’s most venerable organization for child and family
services providers: the Georgia Association of Homes and Services
for Children (GAHSC). Since its inception 50 years ago, GAHSC has
been a tireless champion of children all across the Peach State.
While we’re proud of what GAHSC has accomplished over its long
history, we’ve redesigned the organization from the ground up to add
even more value to the hard-working providers serving Georgia’s
children and families. Find out more by being our guest at a
meeting, talking with our friendly members and leadership team, and
by visiting our website at
www.gahsc.org.
An email newsletter as a public service
Editor
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