The Health of the Human Services Workforce

Summary

Human services workers are America’s other first responders – they often answer the first call for help from our most vulnerable citizens. But many workers are under intense pressure with access to only few resources. This report identifies the gap between what human services workers are asked to do, and their capacity for effectively delivering on those duties. 

Table of Contents

• Table of Contents
• Executive Summary
• Finding the Human Services Workforce
• The State of the Human Services Workforce
• Conclusion
• Appendix A: Health of the Government, Nonprofit, For-Profit and Human Services Sectors
• Appendix B: Human Services Workforce and the Comparison Group
• Appendix C: College Seniors and the Human Services Workforce

Key Takeaway

Small investment, big gain

For the human services workforce, turnover is high among those most qualified, workloads are excessive and workers often feel unappreciated. Overwhelming evidence suggests that even small investments in recruitment and retention of human services workers generate significant gains for the children, youth and families they serve.