Everyday Life & Health
Child Protective Services is still having difficulty closing cases even after increased funding and an increase in the number of case workers, according to an audit released by the State�s Auditor�s Office.
�They hire new employees once a week. They hired about 30 employees along with me and that�s still not enough,� says caseworker Erica Ferrias.
In a child welfare survey conducted by Urban Institutes in 2005, Texas state/local child protection system ranked fifth highest nationally in its dependence on federal funds. The states in the top four spots were Mississippi, North Dakota, Connecticut and Oregon.
According to policy from the Center for Public Policy Priorities, federal funds for the state�s child protection agency summed up to a whopping $714 million. The money came from nine different federal sources, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and grants from Social Services, Child Care Development Fund and Child Welfare Services to name a few.
The funds used to run the agency have steadily increased from $437.5 million in 2001. This year, an estimated $706.3 million has already been budgeted for spending out of $714 million.
Although the number of caseworkers has increased from 3,000 to 4, 000 state-wide over the last three years, high turnover rates remain a major issue for the agency. In 2003 the turnover rate was at 23 percent and increased to 34.1 percent in 2007.
Training to become a caseworker lasts three months, and about 10 out of about 30 quit before training ends. Ferrias said many prospective caseworkers realize it�s not something they want to do.
�It�s not an easy job, the work load is heavy and the hours are long,� she said. �Sometimes you feel like there aren�t enough hours in the day.�
Ferrias said caseworkers may not be closing as many cases because they cannot give each case the time and attention it needs.
The agency is composed of different units that specialize in different matters. One may deal with cases involving neglect while another may deal with kidnapping.
Because most units don�t limit the number of cases workers are assigned, some caseworkers may end up with 6 cases and others may end up with 61. For some, the workload becomes too much and they quit. Then, their cases are given to the remaining caseworkers in their unit.
Difficulties may be due to a mixture of poor management skills, high turnover rates and heavy workloads, but lack of funds is not on the list. About 120 prospects a month will start training to become caseworkers, but how many will finish?
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