(HARRISBURG, PA) – Press Release

The Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth & Family Services (PCCYFS) sent a letter to Governor Shapiro requesting the establishment an Office of Health and Human Services Workforce, Innovation and Reform as well as a Governor’s Health and Human Services Workforce Reform Advisory Council.  

“We have been sounding the alarm on the urgency of this workforce crisis in Pennsylvania’s human services for years now, and the healthcare field is a partner system with similar struggles,” said PCCYFS President and CEO, Terry L. Clark. “The data tells us that county child welfare caseworkers are struggling with a 34 percent vacancy rate and an 89 percent supervisor vacancy rate – with some reporting vacancies as high as 89 percent. Private providers estimate an average turnover rate of about 45 percent in some regions. Without a statewide strategy to focus on this need, the safety net that the health and human services sector offers to our Commonwealth will be eradicated within only a few years and our communities will pay the price. These sectors need strong leadership and commitment from the state to not only sustain their staffing, but also to see growth.”

The request calls on Governor Shapiro to use his executive powers to establish an Office of Health and Human Services Workforce, Innovation and Reform and a Governor’s Health and Human Services Workforce Reform Advisory Council.  The Office would be tasked with establishing a strategic plan, among other responsibilities. The Advisory Council would bring together eleven different state agencies, as well as several providers, and other members as appointed by the Governor to oversee its implementation.

Read the request from PCCYFS here.