A statewide integrated child welfare coaching and mentoring program: Mentored workers’ perception of quality, impact, and satisfaction

ABSTRACT

Child welfare workforce retention and turnover have been increasing and chronic challenges impacting public child welfare agencies. One response has been the implementation of worker coaching and mentoring programs. In this study, we report the results of a survey of 63 mentored child welfare workers who participated in a recently implemented statewide mentoring/coaching program. Results showed high regard for assigned mentors and program quality. Further, workers attributed that mentoring positively impacted their own professional development and abilities to demonstrate the state’s practice model competencies. Program recommendations and implications for practice, policy, and future research are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Child welfare workforce
• mentoring
• coaching
• child protective service workers
• child welfare worker retention

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kathi R. Trawver

Dr. Kathi Trawver is a Professor of Social Work and BSW Program Director at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Her research uses community-driven methods to identify and reduce disparities and improve access to and the delivery of equitable quality services.

Heidi Brocious

Heidi Brocious is a professor of Social Work at the University of Alaska Anchorage, where her work focuses on community-driven outcome and process evaluation.