Worker Vacancies
The vacancy rate for family service worker positions in Arkansas in 2004 was 23% — more than double the average rate in 2002. By 2006, vacancies had dropped to 16%.
This report examines the performance of the Arkansas child welfare system from January 2005 to March 2006 across a variety of key indicators related to child safety, family support and reunification.
Following a staffing crisis in 2004, Arkansas Department of Health and Human Service has hired more family service workers to help provide support to children and families in the child welfare system. While performance outcomes have improved somewhat, on many measures the state still falls well short of its goals. More work needs to be done to ensure that children are safe and that families working toward reunification are well supported for success.