Case-manager shortage leaves many families in dire straits
Florida is in the midst of an avoidable catastrophe that is hurting our at-risk children. Case managers, who are trained to help at-risk families and children navigate what can be a difficult and confusing child-welfare system, are quitting the profession at an alarming rate, leaving children with fewer focused advocates for their needs in a time of crisis. The ever-changing faces of those tasked to help them only worsens what can be a terrifying experience for families and children.
Case managers help children and families in complex and stressful environments. Their profession requires appropriate and effective training and a specialized set of intellectual and behavioral skills that improve with professional experience. People who choose case management as a profession do so because of an intense desire and ability to help those who need it most in their communities.
At-risk children and families benefit with improved results from a stable case management workforce. Unfortunately, very high case manager attrition rates are negatively affecting the ability to properly and effectively provide necessary services.
For over 20 years, case manager attrition has been a growing problem throughout the country. In Florida, attrition generally occurs in the first three years of employment, with the average tenure being two years. Some of Florida’s lead child-welfare agencies throughout the state are currently reporting staggering turnover rates higher than 50%.
Why do case managers leave a profession they love? Higher paying and less stressful jobs can be found elsewhere. The small workforce creates a high caseload and long work hours in what is already an intense profession. Many are avoiding burnout by seeking a better work/ life balance elsewhere, especially during the “Great Resignation” that is happening post-COVID.
Florida case managers’ salaries are not competitive to those in other states and comparable professions. Florida is having trouble attracting candidates to the profession as it offers a significantly lower average statewide starting salary of $37,064. The average case manager starting salary from seven comparison states is $48,958. A Florida case managers’ average salary is $39,646, which is $18,000 below similar professions, like police officers, teachers, and social workers, whose average salary is $57,600 in Florida.
The Florida Coalition for Children is urging the state Legislature to increase its yearly investment in case managers and other critical child welfare positions by $40 million to be spread throughout the state. With increased case manager funding, awareness of the case manager profession will be increased to potential high-quality candidates. Recruitment and hiring practices will become more selective, strategic and effective. Pay will become comparable to those in other community service-related fields. Case workers will have increased incentives to continue as salaries increase. A more positive organizational and work climate will grow. Case workload will also become more manageable leading to better outcomes for the children, families and communities that are served.
Kurt Kelly is the CEO of the Florida Coalition for Children, a Tallahassee-based statewide advocacy organization that represents the community-based care agencies and service providers that administer adoption and foster services in Florida.