Vol. 12, No. 1
January 2007

Innovative Child Welfare Stafing Strategy

To promote quality of services and ease the pressure when a child welfare worker leaves, Cleveland County DSS “overhires” two SW III Reserve Positions. These positions complete social work tasks for other child welfare workers and do not carry caseloads. When a vacancy occurs, one of the reserve workers steps up to fill it.

Karen Ellis, the agency’s Assistant Director, says this prevents daytime staff from inheriting caseloads and ultimately helps keep children safe because worker caseloads remain manageable. To learn more about this strategy, contact Ms. Ellis (704/487-0661, x. 755; Karen.Ellis@clevelandcounty.com).