For Safe Children Coalition, the lead community-based care child welfare agency in Florida’s Circuit 12 (serving Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties), one of the most pressing challenges is maintaining a sufficient workforce to meet the needs of children and families in the region. This struggle is shared by many industries in this community as well as child welfare agencies throughout the state.

Recruiting and retaining staff has become increasingly difficult due to rising costs of living, a shortage of affordable housing, lingering effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, and historically low salaries in the child welfare sector. As a result of these challenges – combined with the intense nature of the work – the Florida Institute of Child Welfare indicates that the average turnover rate for child welfare workers in Florida ranges from 20% to 50% within the first three years of employment.