Reprofessionalizing Child Welfare Services: An Evaluation of a Title IVE Training Program

Abstract

Objective Test the effectiveness of a Title IVE training program for preparing practitioners for public child welfare employment. Method The sample consisted of all workers (N = 266) hired between June 1994 and June 1997 at a public child welfare agency. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires, a follow-up phone interview, and a review of personnel records. Results Title IV–trained workers scored higher on a test of child welfare knowledge, and they expressed more confidence in their ability to perform basic child welfare tasks than did other workers. Eighty-nine percent of IVE workers were still employed at the study close. Overall, 76% of workers were still employed at that time. Contrary to expectations, IVE workers were not more satisfied with their jobs than other workers. Conclusion The retention finding is encouraging because it may mean that the staffing crisis in child welfare may have a solution in programs like IVE. However, IVE-trained workers may not stay unless the unsatisfactory working conditions are corrected.