Texas Senate Finance Committee Recommends Raises For Child Welfare Workers To Limit Turnover

On November 7, 2016, the Texas Senate Finance Committee Workgroup on Child Protection recommended that the upcoming budget for the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) include funding to raise wages for child welfare workers to reduce turnover rates. In its recommendation, the Workgroup noted that during fiscal year 2016, turnover was 32.9% among Investigative caseworkers, 25% among Family-Based Safety Services caseworkers, 22.6% among Conservatorship caseworkers, and 19.2% among Special Investigators.

The Workgroup recommended raising caseworker base salaries, which currently average about $40,000 per year, by $1,000 per month. Special Investigators should receive . . .