Quality Improvement Center For Workforce Development

Staff recruitment and retention are persistent challenges for many child welfare agencies. In addition to being costly, staff turnover can negatively impact the relationship between families and the agency. These challenges are compounded by a lack of research on effective strategies to attract and retain child welfare workers. The QIC-WD will synthesize the current state of trends and research and generate new knowledge about effective strategies to improve workforce outcomes. The QIC-WD is partnering with 8 public and tribal child welfare agencies interested in being on the cutting edge of system reform as it relates to workforce issues. Extensive analysis, planning, and evaluation will be conducted in collaboration with agencies. What is learned will be shared nationally to strengthen the child welfare workforce. Through a five-year cooperative agreement with the Children’s Bureau, the QIC-WD is led by University of Nebraska-Lincoln in partnership with experts from University of Colorado, Denver; University of Louisville; University of Tennessee, Knoxville; University of California, Los Angeles; C.F. Parry Associates; CLH Strategies & Solutions; and Great Eastern Consulting.