A follow-up of a Title IV-E program's graduates' retention rates in a public child welfare agency.
OBJECTIVE
Examine retention rates of a Title IV-E program's graduates in a public child welfare agency.


METHODS
The sample consisted of all workers (N = 266) hired between June 1994 and June 1997. Subjects were followed until 12/31/99 in order to ascertain employment status. Data for study were abstracted from agency personnel files.


RESULTS
Title IV-E trained social workers had longer periods of tenure than non-IV-E trained employees (p < .057). Other predictors that were significant or approaching significance included Spanish speaking (p < .007), having an MSW (p < .0245), being rehired by the agency (p < .052), and being promoted to social from Income Maintenance (p < .061).


CONCLUSIONS
The retention finding is encouraging because it may mean child welfare agencies may improve their human capital through programs like IV-E. Recruiting Spanish speaking social workers or upgrading existing workers' language skills may increase retention in child welfare. Promoting from within coupled with upgrading skills through training programs like IV-E may also be a solution to the staffing crisis.
Jones
Loring
L
San Diego State University, USA.
D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D004500:Education, Graduate / Q000191:economics; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010558:Personnel Loyalty; D010563:Personnel Turnover; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011635:Public Health Administration; D012943:Social Security / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012947:Social Work / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D014146:Training Support / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities; D000078329:Workforce