nancy s. dickinson, mssw, phd the use of evidence in child welfare practice and policy: an...
TRANSCRIPT
Nancy S. Dickinson, MSSW, PhDThe Use of Evidence in Child Welfare Practice and Policy: An
International Perspective on Future Directions Jerusalem, May 27, 2010
The Role of Staff Development in Supporting Implementation of Evidence
Informed Practices
www.ncwwi.org A Service of the Children’s Bureau, a Member of the T/TA Network
www.ncwwi.org A Service of the Children’s Bureau, a Member of the T/TA Network
Presentation
Impact of child welfare worker turnover on children, youth and families
What research tells us about retention of
child welfare staff
Evidence-informed retention practices
www.ncwwi.org A Service of the Children’s Bureau, a Member of the T/TA Network
Impact of Turnover on Families and Children
Delay in timely investigations which can be
detrimental to the child at risk (US GAO, 2003)
Significantly longer stays in foster care (Flower,
McDonald, & Sumski, 2005; Ryan et al., 2006)
Higher rates of foster care re-entry (Hess, Folaran, &
Jefferson, 1992)
Relationship between turnover and recurrence
of child maltreatment (NCCD, 2006)
© Fixsen & Blase, 2008
Performance Assessment
Coaching
Training
Selection
Systems Intervention
Facilitative Administration
Decision Support Data System
Adaptive
Technical
Integrated & Compensatory
Com
pete
ncy
Driv
ers
Com
pete
ncy
Driv
ers O
rganization Drivers
Organization D
rivers
LeadershipLeadership
Improved outcomes for children and families
Graphics by Steve Goodman,2009
Implementation Drivers
www.ncwwi.org A Service of the Children’s Bureau, a Member of the T/TA Network
CW Retention Research
www.ncwwi.org A Service of the Children’s Bureau, a Member of the T/TA Network
Organizational Conditions and Retention
1. Supervision (Alwon & Reitz, 2000; Bernotavicz, 1997: Dickinson & Perry, 2002; Ellett, 2000; GAO, 2003; Harrison, 1995; Landsman, 2001; McCarthy, 2003; Rycraft, 1994; Samantrai, 1992; Smith, 2005) Also supported in work of the R&R grantees.
2. Organizational climate (AECF, 2003; Cahalane & Sites, 2004; Ellett et al., 2003; Glisson & Hemmelgarn, 1998; Hopkins et al., 1999; Keefe, 2003; Kleinpeter et al., 2003; Lewandowski, 1998; McCarthy, 2003; Nissly et al., 2005; Scannapieco & Connell-Carrick, 2003) Also supported in the work of the R&R grantees.
Supervision as a Retention Tool
Good supervision is the most important factor (Zlotnik et al., 2005)
Quantity of supervision influences job satisfaction (Barth et al., 2007)
Quality of supervision counts (Dickinson & Perry, 2002) Fostering on-the-job learning
– Peer mentoring– Supervisory coaching
www.ncwwi.org A Service of the Children’s Bureau, a Member of the T/TA Network
www.ncwwi.org A Service of the Children’s Bureau, a Member of the T/TA Network
Organizational Climate
Staff who stay – Understand the agency’s mission and feel
valued as contributors to that mission (Keefe, 2003; Rycraft, 1994; Michigan State, 2008; University of North Carolina, 2008)
– Feel part of a learning organization (Fordham University, 2008
– Experience clear expectations and measurable performance objectives (Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2003)
www.ncwwi.org A Service of the Children’s Bureau, a Member of the T/TA Network
Organizational Climate
Staff who stay– Perceive opportunities for advancement (Denver
University; University of Southern Maine, 2008)
– Perceive recognition and rewards for performance (Child Welfare Training Institute, 1997; University of North Carolina, 2008)
– Feel respected as individual staff members (Landsman, 2001)
www.ncwwi.org A Service of the Children’s Bureau, a Member of the T/TA Network
Organizational Climate and Retention
Mission Driven Performance Based Affirming
www.ncwwi.org A Service of the Children’s Bureau, a Member of the T/TA Network
Intervention Research and Retention Practices
The correlates of retention and turnover have been identified
What interventions increase retention and impact effectiveness?
www.ncwwi.org A Service of the Children’s Bureau, a Member of the T/TA Network
An Experimental Study of Child Welfare Worker Turnover in NC
Random assignment to 17 intervention and 17 control groups
Provision of intervention:– Supervisor and manager training in
recruitment, selection, retention practice skills– Toolkits and TA for transfer of learning
Collection of data between 12/1/04 and 9/1/08
www.ncwwi.org A Service of the Children’s Bureau, a Member of the T/TA Network
Results
Significant improvements for the intervention group on:– Self efficacy– Organizational commitment– Agency affirmation– Shared mission– Depersonalization– Role clarity– Supervisor practice support– Supervisor team support– Intent to leave
www.ncwwi.org A Service of the Children’s Bureau, a Member of the T/TA Network
Impact of Intervention on Retention
www.ncwwi.org A Service of the Children’s Bureau, a Member of the T/TA Network
Impact of Evidence-Based Practice on Staff Turnover (Aarons, et al., 2009)
Effect of EBP implementation on staff retention in context of statewide, randomized trial of intervention designed to reduce child neglect
SafeCare with & without fidelity monitoring; Services as usual with and without monitoring.
Greater staff retention in the condition where the EBP was implemented along with ongoing fidelity monitoring presented to staff as supportive consultation
www.ncwwi.org A Service of the Children’s Bureau, a Member of the T/TA Network
Perspectives on EBP Implementation and Turnover
Learning new skills like SafeCare were motivators to stay with current employers
Implementation of EBPs helps to recruit and retain new staff
www.ncwwi.org A Service of the Children’s Bureau, a Member of the T/TA Network
Effects of an Organizational Intervention on Worker Turnover
The Availability, Responsiveness, and Continuity (ARC) Intervention (Glisson, Dukes, & Green, 2006)
Reduced worker turnover by two-thirds Improved work environments by reducing
– Role conflict– Role overload– Emotional exhaustion– Depersonalization
www.ncwwi.org A Service of the Children’s Bureau, a Member of the T/TA Network
An Organizational Model to Improve Retention
New York State Agency Design Teams Local agency teams focus on organizational
culture and work issues Mentoring and coaching supervisors in team
building activities improved worker retention Retention influenced by
– Satisfaction with supervision– Opportunity for promotion– Agency communication
© Fixsen & Blase, 2008
Performance Assessment
Coaching
Training
Selection
Systems Intervention
Facilitative Administration
Decision Support Data System
Adaptive
Technical
Integrated & Compensatory
Com
pete
ncy
Driv
ers
Com
pete
ncy
Driv
ers O
rganization Drivers
Organization D
rivers
LeadershipLeadership
Improved outcomes for children and families
Graphics by Steve Goodman,2009
Implementation Drivers
Successful Implementation of Evidence Informed Practice
Core Implementation Components
Staff selection Staff Staff training Development Staff coaching Activities Performance
Assessment
www.ncwwi.org A Service of the Children’s Bureau, a Member of the T/TA Network
Pre-Service and In-Service Training
Training Best Practices: Based on adult learning principles Skill-based
– Behavior Rehearsals– Knowledgeable feedback providers– Practice to criteria
Transfer of learning activities
www.ncwwi.org A Service of the Children’s Bureau, a Member of the T/TA Network
Supervision and Coaching
Purposes: Teach effective practice Ensure good judgment Secure fidelity Increase staff satisfaction through support
and skill acquisition
www.ncwwi.org A Service of the Children’s Bureau, a Member of the T/TA Network
Thank You
www.ncwwi.org A Service of the Children’s Bureau, a Member of the T/TA Network