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Consistency is Key in Search for Legal Permanency: Care for Caseworkers’ ‘We See You’ Campaign Aims to Help

According to a 2012 study, the chance of achieving permanency decreased from 74.5% to 17.5% after youth in foster care received a case worker change. 1 

But with some studies showing the rate of annual turnover in child welfare nearing 40%, consistency on a child’s case team can be rare.

With the often-difficult nature of this work, we must do everything we can to support a child’s team, and there are many ways you can help.

Care for Caseworkers is a national collaborative effort that brings together individuals, organizations and communities to recognize child welfare professionals for their critical work in making permanency possible for children waiting in foster care.  

During its “We See You” campaign during the second week of October and year-round, there are many ways you can help ensure child welfare professionals feel seen, known and valued.

Research shows the chances of achieving permanency drop by 57% when there is a caseworker change. 1 That’s why the Foundation is urgently working to expand its Wendy’s Wonderful Kids® program. Adoption professionals, known as recruiters, serve as an additional member of a child’s team, staying with a youth until finalization, even if they move jurisdictions.

Our child welfare system is stretched too thin, and it’s critical to support those who are on the front lines of advocating for youth who need a safe, permanent home now.

Visit careforcaseworkers.org to find simple ways to make a make a difference. Contact your local child welfare or human services office and offer to host a lunch, send gift cards, bring balloons to the office or any other kind gesture you can think of.

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption simply couldn’t do the work we do in finding permanent families for the longest-waiting children in foster care without committed caseworkers.

Please, join the movement in October and year-round to honor the child welfare professionals in your community. A small act of kindness can go a long way.

References:

1 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24205550/ 


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