RE: info on child welfare caseworkers

["Moore, Terry D" <terrym@xxxxxxxxx>]

I was given a file folder 3 inches thick today with articles related to this
topic.  Here is a summary of a few:

Social Service workers in Kentucky with social work degrees, either BSW or
MSW, are better prepared than those workers without social work degrees
(Dhooper, Toyse, & Wolfe, 1990)

Workers with a social work education were more often effective in service
delivery than workers with BA degrees or other graduate degrees. (Olsen &
Holmes, 1982) 

Child welfare staff with BSW and MSW degrees are more effective in
developing successful permanency plans for children who have been in foster
care for more then two years (Albers, Really, & Ritner, 1993)

Overall performance of MSW's was significantly higher than non-MSW's, and
education, specifically holding MSW, appears to be the best predictor of
overall performance in social service work. (Booz-Allen & Hamilton, 1987)

Workers without educational preparation for child welfare work were most
likely to leave before one year (CWLA 1990)

Turnover among caseworkers is consistently higher in states that do not
require any kind of degree for child welfare positions and consistently
lower in states that require an MSW. (Russell, 1987)

In terms of your specific question about CPS, I do not know of anything.  If
I knew why you were asking I might be of more help.  Is this related to
special investigators? 

Hope this helps.  If you want more let me know.  

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Anderson [mailto:sandersn@uiuc.edu]
Sent: Friday, February 09, 2001 3:06 PM
To: terrym@UKANS.EDU
Subject: info on child welfare caseworkers


I am interested in research related to the qualifications, skill levels,
and turnover among child welfare workers, particularly those involved in
decision-making regarding removal from the home or reunification.  I would
appreciate it if anyone could refer me to published studies or on-going
research in this area.  Thank you.

Steve Anderson