I came across an article today that summarizes what many child welfare organizations are feeling right now.  The title to the article was:  "Foster care workers feel overworked, unsupported, study finds..."

As you read the article, you begin to realize that the caseworkers in this city are indeed not only overworked and unsupported... but they don't have the right tools to help them manage their caseloads and information.  The truth is - that is a recipe for disaster.  An unnamed caseworker is quoted in the study as saying: "High caseload and paperwork are the number one barriers. I can't even see my clients."

In order to take on the challenge at hand - to properly care for the vulnerable families and children under your watch - you need a proven child welfare software system to help you manage your cases.

This is where a system like FAMCare totally makes sense.  How many people need to suffer (caseworkers or families) before someone decides that leveraging a good information management system is the foundation of delivering proper care?  And good information will lead to better decision making, improved productivity and better outcomes.

You can read the rest of the article below.

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By Crocker Stephenson of the Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee, WI

Posted: May. 27, 2009

Foster care caseworkers in Milwaukee County feel overworked, under-trained and insufficiently supported by the community in which they work, according to a study released Wednesday that, among other things, plumbs caseworker attitudes toward the child welfare system.

The study, commissioned by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation's Bright Futures Milwaukee Fund and conducted by the Planning Council for Health and Human Services, seeks to provide a broad view of the state-run Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare's strengths and weaknesses. Most significantly, it provides rare insight into the challenges and frustration facing the foster care system's front-line workers.

According to the study, based on interviews with a wide spectrum of participants in the Milwaukee County child welfare system:

• The average caseload, or number of children per caseworker, was 21.1. The Child Welfare League of America recommends caseloads between 12 and 15 children per foster care worker.

• While the bureau reports turnover rates for ongoing case managers averaged 32.2%, that rate includes new hires. The actual rate is closer to 50%.

• The time caseworkers can spend with clients is diluted by tasks such as paperwork, transportation and court appearances.

An unnamed caseworker is quoted in the study as saying: "High caseload and paperwork are the number one barriers. I can't even see my clients."

• Caseworkers feel they bear the brunt of unrealistic community expectations and organizational decisions that are made to calm community anger and frustration.

• Caseworkers feel ill-prepared to make medical judgments about children and want more training in how to recognize when children have been mistreated.

Turnover, caseworkers said, "is linked to many factors, including inadequate preparation, stress, burnout, and the attractiveness of other career advancement opportunities," the report says.

"Among some participants, there was a sense that new caseworkers participate in training to build their résumés or to complete graduate school, and they leave after they have amassed experience or education.

"Other participants stated that new caseworkers do not stay on the job long because it is so demanding and overwhelming," the study says.

In the study, caseworker frustration is palpable.

"Some said that they did not feel their contribution to helping protect children was respected," the study says.

"As put by one participant, 'We don't feel appreciated in the media or in the community.' "

The study, which was released at a community meeting Wednesday, provides a snapshot of the bureau at the end of 2008.

As of Dec. 31, there were 671 children in licensed, non-relative foster care. Another 186 children were with relatives in licensed foster care. Some 800 children were in non-licensed, court-ordered kinship care.

The study cited a 2007 report by the Pew Charitable Trusts supporting kinship care arrangements. That report found that foster care placements with relatives tend to be more stable than placements with unrelated foster families, siblings are less likely to be separated, children are able to maintain community connections, and relatives are more likely to adopt or become permanent guardians.

Read the actual article here.