After reports of burnout, Maine child welfare agency says they have hired more caseworkers

Addressing the oversight committee Wednesday, DHHS Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew said Jaden and every other child who died under the care of the state lost their chance at a future.  “We mourn their loss,” she said. “I mourn their loss. And I ask myself and lose sleep over the question, ‘Could each child have survived if something different had been done in the child welfare system?’” (Getty Images)

Less than a year after caseworkers came forward with reports of burnout and crushing workloads, Maine’s child welfare agency reported improved staffing numbers.

Back in November, testimony and reports shared with the Government Oversight Committee said that caseworkers get little room to catch their breath in a physically and emotionally demanding job, dozens of vacancies go unfilled and convoluted policies lead to “unsound safety decisions.”

On Wednesday, Director of the Office of Child and Family Services Bobbi Johnson reported fewer vacancies for caseworkers and case aides during a quarterly update to the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee. She also listed a number of incentives that she believes are improving retention. However, the union that represents caseworkers cautioned against painting the higher numbers as immediate relief.

Johnson shared point in time data going back to 2018 that showed a rise in vacancies at the end of last year and a gradual decrease  in the first half of this year.

In December 2022, 57 out of the 445 caseworker positions across the state were unfilled. At the end of last year, that was up to 83 open positions. The most recent data shows just 44 openings in July.

Even though there is an increase in workers, it may not be as “rosy” as it seems, said Robin Upton-Sukeforth, a field representative for Maine Service Employees Association, Local 1989 of the Service Employees International Union, which represents caseworkers.

New caseworkers have to complete training before they can take on their own caseloads, Upton-Sukeforth said, so current employees aren’t yet feeling the relief. She also said it’s not uncommon for a new hire to not make it through the training program.

There have also been concerted efforts to attract case aides whose responsibilities include supervising visits between children and parents, supervising children in hospital or hotel settings, data entry and maintaining court records.

At the start of this year, Johnson said, 13 of the 47 case aide positions were vacant. Today, that number is down to just five.

Johnson also reported a decrease in turnover, which she attributed to multiple factors including incentive payments, raises and better work-life balance.

While the improvement in personnel numbers could address the reports of untenable workloads, caseworkers also spoke of a need for cultural improvements. Johnson was appointed to the position after her predecessor, Todd Landry, resigned in 2023 amid complaints about his leadership.

Johnson said she has received feedback from staff who are feeling more hopeful. She said improving culture will take time, but she sees the agency moving toward better balance and support for employees.

But Upton-Sukeforth said the feedback she’s been getting from caseworkers doesn’t exude that same hope.

The Office of Child and Family Services was in the Legislature’s spotlight this past session as both the Government Oversight and the Health and Human Services committees considered several proposals to address the failures within the system.

The oversight committee produced a roughly 70-page report with almost 30 suggested reforms. Ideas for improvement included a pilot project to attract and retain case aides; however, that proposal never received final approval from the House of Representatives before the session adjourned.

New positions come online in August

The agency also has multiple new positions that were created through the 2024 supplemental budget. Those positions are already posted, but they can’t be filled until Aug. 9, which is when the budget takes effect.

They include three legal secretaries and an assistant program administrator for the Lewiston district. There will also be eight onboarding and training coaches — one for each district — to help prepare new staff and support ongoing training.

Johnson said interviews are being conducted and offers will be made with pending start dates on or after Aug. 9.

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