Workplace Supports to Improve Georgia's Child Protective Services

III. Conclusion

DFCS case managers in Georgia need higher salaries and reduced caseloads, but leaders must additionally support case managers with standard good management practices.  A sampling of suggestions for good public child welfare management practices has been included in this paper.  Case managers must be adequately educated and trained.  And, to provide protection for children in the greatest danger, case managers must be supported by the creation of a reliable and user friendly case file database system that allows case managers to track and preserve their daily work, and thereby know the history and current status of every child in the child protection system.  Additional guidance is available through a variety of resources, including those listed in the appendices.  Some of the best experts on what is needed to improve Georgia's child welfare system are within the system.  Case managers should be asked what is needed, and efforts must be made to meet those needs.  This would be a significant first step toward providing workplace supports that will contribute to the systemic improvement of Georgia's child welfare system.