VDM Williams, N: Professional Development of Child Care Workers

Retention of workers in the child welfare industry is difficult. Workers perceive the industry as temporary and tend to leave when better employment opportunities are available. This creates an industry in which there is constant turnover and a reduced sense of permanency among workers, children, and their families. In this qualitative assessment of residential childcare workers in the state of Pennsylvania, workers provided personal perceptions regarding their professional development. Interviews and focus groups with 20 participants focused on strategies to develop a professional development model that could affect the retention of residential childcare workers.