Resource Library - Workload
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Workload:
Staff must have a manageable workload for their well-being and work/life balance. These resources explore the many factors that contribute to workload, including number of cases or supervisees, professional development, and other responsibilities and job support. Child welfare staff often report that both workload and caseload are too high, which can lead to burnout and exits from the agency.
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| Title | Content | Categories | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCWWI Workload Reference List | This comprehensive reference list includes a compilation of papers, reports, peer-reviewed journal articles and other relevant resources addressing workload | Workload | NCWWI-Product, Reference/Resource List | 2023 |
| How does turnover in the child welfare workforce impact children and families? | Learn about child welfare workforce turnover, its challenges to child protection agencies, and the impact it has on children and … | Advancing Racial Equity, Disproportionality & Disparities, Retention, Turnover, Work Conditions and Benefits, Workload | Report/Paper | 2023 |
| How are child protection agencies navigating and addressing workforce challenges? | Learn how several jurisdictions are implementing strategies to recruit and retain a strong child welfare workforce. | Advancing Racial Equity, Burnout, Disproportionality & Disparities, Education/Professional Development, Practice Supports, Recruitment, Recruitment and Selection, Retention, Supervision, Training, Turnover, University Partnerships, Work Conditions and Benefits, Workload | Report/Paper | 2023 |
| State Roundtable Reports on Caseworker Retention | The State Roundtable establishes workgroups to research and address statewide areas of concern for the PA Dependency System. Workgroup membership … | Burnout, Retention, Supervision, Turnover, Work Conditions and Benefits, Workforce Development Planning, Workload | Report/Paper | 2019 |
| Unacknowledged Protectors: Consequences and Costs of Turnover in the Child Welfare Workforce | This article discusses some of the reasons for turnover in the child welfare workforce. It also discusses the costs to … | Retention, Turnover, Work Conditions and Benefits, Workload | Report/Paper | 2021 |
| Caseload and Workload Management | Large caseloads and excessive workloads in many jurisdictions can make it difficult for child welfare caseworkers to serve families effectively, … | Leadership, Supervision, Work Conditions and Benefits, Workload | Report/Paper | 2022 |
| QIC-WD Workforce Interventions | This video describes common challenges and the important role workers had in selecting a workforce intervention to test as part … | Burnout, Organizational Culture and Climate, Recruitment, Recruitment and Selection, Retention, Supervision, Turnover, Work Conditions and Benefits, Workload | Video | |
| Washington State is Using Telework to Strengthen the Child Welfare Workforce | The Washington Department of Children, Youth and Families is implementing telework to strengthen their child welfare workforce. This video highlights … | Burnout, Performance Improvement, Retention, Supervision, Turnover, Work Conditions and Benefits, Workload | Video | |
| An Overview of the QIC-WD | The Quality Improvement Center for Workforce Development (QIC-WD) is dedicated to understanding how to improve child welfare workforce outcomes. | Recruitment, Recruitment and Selection, Retention, Work Conditions and Benefits, Workforce Development Planning, Workload | Video | |
| The Critical Role of Child Welfare Workers | “Social workers are the unsung heroes…” This video highlights the critical role that child welfare workers play on the frontlines … | Turnover, Work Conditions and Benefits, Worker Safety, Workload | Video | |
| Virginia Case-Supportive Technology | The Virginia Department of Social Services and select local child welfare agencies implemented a case-supportive technology intervention to strengthen their … | Performance Improvement, Recruitment, Recruitment and Selection, Retention, Supervision, Work Conditions and Benefits, Workload | Video | |
| Pivoting During the Pandemic | This video features workers, supervisors, and administrators discussing the challenges they faced during the Covid-19 pandemic and some of changes … | Supervision, Work Conditions and Benefits, Worker Safety, Workload | Video | |
| The Importance of Supporting Supervisors | Supervision is an important element of the child welfare workforce. Supervisors from across the QIC-WD sites discuss what they need … | Performance Improvement, Retention, Supervision, Work Conditions and Benefits, Workload | Video | |
| Supervision in a Virtual Workplace | The QIC-WD sites, like other child welfare agencies around the country, pivoted to virtual supervision quickly due to the pandemic. … | Supervision, Workload | Overview/Summary | 2022 |
| Telework | An overview of telework, its value, and the need for additional research. | Work Conditions and Benefits, Workload | Overview/Summary | 2020 |
| Workaholism | An overview of workaholism and what contributes to it. | Work Conditions and Benefits, Workload | Overview/Summary | 2021 |
| Sleep | An overview of sleep and its impact on workplace outcomes. | Burnout, Retention, Work Conditions and Benefits, Workload | Overview/Summary | 2021 |
| Organizational Constraints | An overview of work conditions that interfere with an employee’s motivation or ability to perform, otherwise known as work constraints, … | Organizational Culture and Climate, Retention, Work Conditions and Benefits, Workload | Overview/Summary | 2021 |
| Workload | An overview of workload and how to improve it. | Burnout, Retention, Work Conditions and Benefits, Workload | Overview/Summary | 2021 |
| Role Stress | An overview of three types of role stress: role ambiguity, role conflict, and role overload. | Job Analysis and Position Requirements, Recruitment and Selection, Retention, Supervision, Work Conditions and Benefits, Workload | Overview/Summary | 2022 |
| Rethinking Child Welfare Recruitment | This brief discusses the current workforce crisis and provides recommendations on ways child welfare programs can enhance their recruitment efforts. | Communication, Education/Professional Development, Inclusivity/Racial Equity, Job Analysis and Position Requirements, Organizational Culture and Climate, Recruitment, Recruitment and Selection, Retention, Screening and Selection, University Partnerships, Work Conditions and Benefits, Workforce Development Planning, Workload | NCWWI-Product, Overview/Summary, Tool/Guide/Manual | 2022 |
| Effective Workload Management: NCWWI 1-page Summary | This document summarizes a study that surveyed 1,263 workers in a Midwestern state to determine factors that influence workload perceptions … | Workload | 1-Page-Summary, NCWWI-Product | 2020 |
| The Relationship between Substance Use Indicators and Child Welfare Caseloads | This brief presents results from a statistical analysis examining the relationship between indicators of substance use prevalence and child welfare … | Workload | Report/Paper | 2018 |
| Casework Teaming to Reduce Workload, Enhance Effectiveness & Boost Morale | This document summarizes a NCWWI webinar on casework teaming designed reduce caseworker isolation and workload; improve workforce retention; and strengthen … | Workload | NCWWI-Product, Webinar/Presentation | 2013 |
| Colorado Child Welfare County Workload Study | This in-depth study establishes a comprehensive picture of the State’s child welfare county actual and estimated workload and staffing levels, … | Workload | Report/Paper | 2014 |
| Colorado Department of Human Services: Colorado Child Welfare County Workload Study | This report contains the results of a workload study in 64 Colorado counties and establishes a comprehensive picture of the … | Workload | Report/Paper | 2014 |
| Cost Savings from Reasonable Child Welfare Workloads | This document summarizes evidence that reasonable caseloads and workloads will keep more child welfare workers on the job, leading to … | Workload | Overview/Summary | 2016 |
| DCFS Training for New County Directors (Georgia): Workshop No.1 – Leadership (Trainer’s Guide) | This workshop guide identifies and explores the leadership qualities that will contribute to the success of new County Directors, enhances … | Workload | Curricula/Training Material | 2006 |
| DFCS Training for New County Directors (Georgia): Workshop No. 2 – Program & Workload Management (Trainer’s Guide) | This workshop guide introduces new County Directors to their new roles and responsibilities, and how key Outcome Measures and Results … | Workload | Curricula/Training Material | 2006 |
| High Caseloads: How Do They Impact Delivery Of Health And Human Services? | This brief highlights recent studies that indicate high caseloads negatively impact both worker retention and service delivery outcomes, and are … | Workload | Overview/Summary | 2010 |
| Indiana DCS Caseload and Workload Analysis | This paper provides a prioritized roadmap and profile of each recommended option that Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) should … | Workload | Report/Paper | 2015 |
| Minnesota Local Workload Analytic Tool: User’s Reference Guide | The guide provides general user information and instructions for staff to follow as they navigate the Workload Analytic Tool and … | Workload | Tool/Guide/Manual | 2010 |
| Minnesota Workload Study Analytic Tool | This first spreadsheet was designed for counties to determine whether sufficient staffing resources exist, calculating resource need and workloads for … | Workload | Tool/Guide/Manual | 2010 |
| Minnesota Workload Study Measures | This second spreadsheet provides a structured means for using outcome and performance reports available to administrators, managers and supervisors in … | Workload | Tool/Guide/Manual | 2010 |
| Minnesota Local Workload Analytic Tool: Administrator’s Reference Guide & System Documentation | The guide provides general user information and instructions for staff with administrative privileges to follow when changes to the Workload … | Workload | Tool/Guide/Manual | 2010 |
| New York State Child Welfare Workload Study | This study is the first child welfare workload study that addresses the work of voluntary agency staff, in addition to … | Workload | Report/Paper | 2006 |
| The Study Of Workload In Child Protective And Child Welfare Services | This journal presents articles from a special issue that explores the measurement of child welfare workload and shares findings from … | Workload | Report/Paper | 2008 |
| Washington State Children’s Administration Workload Study | This report presents the results of a Workload Study which aims to understand the required practice activities of child welfare … | Workload | Report/Paper | 2007 |
| What Child Welfare Caseworkers Need To Go Mobile | This paper examines the ways in which mobile access to case management systems, data and information, assessment and referral capabilities … | Workload | Overview/Summary | 2015 |
| Workforce and Outsourcing Issues Key to Reducing Fatalities: Comments for the CECANF | This document addresses outsourcing, caseloads and workloads, professional development, and workplace safety issues as key to reducing fatalities; and provides … | Workload | Overview/Summary | 2015 |
| Workload and Casework Review: Qualitative Review of Social Worker Caseload, Casework and Workload Management | This report describes the findings of the qualitative review of social worker caseload, casework and workload management and identifies key … | Workload | Report/Paper | 2014 |
| Workload Management: Caseworker Readiness Activity | This document offers various activities and guidance to ensure new caseworkers can be most effective in managing their caseloads. | Workload | Tool/Guide/Manual | 2014 |
| Agency Workforce Estimation: Simple Steps For Improving Child Safety And Permanency | This article briefly reviews research findings that link adequate staffing to improved child safety and well-being, and presents approaches for … | Workload | Tool/Guide/Manual | 2009 |
| Alaska Statewide Workload Study | This paper describes a six month study in the state of Washington to determine reasonable workload standards for Office of … | Workload | Report/Paper | 2006 |
| Caseload Size in Best Practice: Literature Review | This literature review examines the existing research related to casework size and outcomes for children in the child welfare system. | Workload | Report/Paper | 2002 |
| Caseload and Workload Management | This information brief provides State child welfare managers with an overview of the benefits of caseload and workload management, catalysts … | Workload | Overview/Summary | 2016 |
| Caseload/Workload Studies: NCWWI 1-page Summary | This paper summarizes the three research briefs which provides information summarizing recent studies and reports that underscore the importance of … | Work Conditions and Benefits, Workload | 1-Page-Summary, NCWWI-Product | 2011 |
| Casework Teaming to Manage Workload, Enhance Effectiveness and Boost Morale (1-page Summary) | This document summarizes a NCWWI webinar on casework teaming designed reduce caseworker isolation and workload; improve workforce retention; and strengthen … | Organizational Culture and Climate, Work Conditions and Benefits, Workload | 1-Page-Summary, NCWWI-Product | 2013 |