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Long-Awaited Child Welfare Study About to Be ReleasedApril 2000FLASH Study
Finally Released The union's legislative attempt to reduce the caseload of social workers is going into the home stretch. The monumental study of child welfare work in California, authorized by Senate Bill 2030, is now sitting on Governor Gray Davis's desk waiting to be officially released. The speculation is that the report is so explosive that the governor is reluctant to release it. Those who have seen early drafts state that it documents that counties are failing to meet even the minimum federal guidelines for child welfare workers. According to an analysis by the National Association of Social Workers, the state would have to double the number of child welfare workers in the state, from 6,449 to 13,762, to satisfy even the minimum Division 31 Regulations, and to do the job right would require triple the number, or 17,984 social workers. What the study will conclude is unclear, but it is expected to call for hiring at least 50% more workers. What the governor and the legislature will do is another question. The outcome should be no surprise to social workers, who have long stated that high caseloads make it impossible for them to protect the children and families of California. What does this mean in human terms? According to Local 535 field staff and former child welfare worker Wren Bradley, who was one of the forces behind the study, "It documents what we have been saying. Children who are at risk are not being seen in a timely manner, and they are lingering in abusive and dangerous situations. Troubled parents are not getting the help they need to improve their parenting skills." In short, children will suffer the lifetime scars of child abuse because workers are not able to see them. Unhealthy situations that could be corrected are being ignored because no one is there to help. According to SEIU State Council Legislative Advocate Michelle Castro, the State Senate and Assembly budget subcommittees are hoping to secure an additional $100 million over the initial $40 million budget augmentation. They are awaiting the release of the report before they take final action. According to Bradley, although the $100 million could significantly lower caseloads, it would still fall far short of what is called for in the report. To hire enough social workers to ensure that children are visited in a timely fashion and that families are provided at least minimal services, as required by federal regulations, the present child welfare budget of approximately $700 million would have to be doubled. Money is not the only problemEven if counties wanted to hire more workers, there would not be enough social workers in the state to meet the demand. How to recruit and retain more social workers will be the major question, according to Bradley. Suggestions have included a variety of incentives to encourage students to become social workers and then to work for county agencies after they graduate. This Study is Just the Beginning Responding to the gravity of the situation, Assemblywoman Pat Wiggins and Senator Jim Costa have introduced legislation to create a permanent task force to come up with a strategic child welfare plan. If Not Now When? There has never been a better time for the state to take on the issue of increasing the number of social workers. The Legislative Analyst's Office estimates that state revenues in fiscal year 2000 will be at least $11 billion higher than expected. What You Can Do: Join the Legislative Assault. July 1 is the deadline for next year's budget. The legislature and the governor have to be convinced to fund the program. Local 535 is calling for the following:
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