PCCYFS Advocates for More Funding for Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Workforce

With workforce challenges at crisis levels for child welfare and juvenile justice providers, PCCYFS is advocating for a one-time investment of $94,680,000 to support this critical staff recruitment and retention need to supplement the previous request for resources for behavioral health providers. Given the longevity of workforce and funding shortages that existed even prior to COVID, the field is not likely to recover without financial support from the state. This one-time insurgence of funding would offer $5,000 per position within child welfare and juvenile justice providers to support recruitment or retention needs.

These vital frontline workers carried some of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable communities through the pandemic by supporting children and families at a time when other services were limited. Because they rely almost exclusively on rates established by county and state partners to fund their work, they are constrained in their ability to offer adequate financial compensation to their workers, and as a result of these factors and others, are now facing unprecedented levels of worker shortage and turnover. If this crisis continues, Pennsylvania’s young people and their families will only continue to see delays in much-needed services and supports, as waiting lists continue to grow.

PCCYFS is working with our members to get the message out to legislators. To get connected to this advocacy effort, contact hbgoffice@pccyfs.org.