CYF staffing needs to be reconsidered

Jun 7, 2023

Blair County government constantly strives to do the best job possible; county officials deserve good marks for their commitment to performing their duties correctly, always in the spirit of their constituents’ best interests.

However, that does not negate those officials from being questioned, second-guessed or even criticized over their decisions, or regarding proposals they put forth for consideration.

Most county residents can remember clearly the reaction that the county commissioners received when the countywide property reassessment was proposed, during the time it was being carried out and after the results were revealed.

On the current proposals front, a plan announced in recent days deserves much further discussion. That plan deals with a serious issue involving more than a few individuals or families.

The proposal on which this editorial will focus is the announcement that the county is creating 10 part-time child-welfare caseworker positions for up to six months in the Children, Youth & Families office to address a backlog of work.

That might seem like a good plan, considering that the state's latest report, in March, showed that 356 general protective services reports were awaiting action.

But is hiring 10 part-time staffers for six-months as a mere band-aid for the problem the right move for the longer term? At the time of the state's March information, the oldest general protective services report that had not been addressed — at least not completely — was from Oct. 24, 2022.

As an article in the Mirror's May 26 edition reported, general protective services reports are those alleging a variety of child welfare concerns, excluding child abuse.

Rightly, the county continues to give priority to child-abuse allegations, but the county needs a well-functioning operation in all aspects of its CYF role, not only because of the work that is necessary on children's and families’ behalf, but because the state is watching to ensure that counties’ children, youth and families efforts are in full compliance with Pennsylvania regulations.

Of course, Blair is not immune to that state oversight.

But again, is hiring 10 part-time staffers for six months the right move for needs, going forward?

Probably the most basic issue at the center of the 10-part-timers plan is the need for continuity within the CYF mission.

Most medical patients prefer to have appointments with the same doctor who knows their problems and conditions, and with whom they feel they can speak openly and confidently.

Likewise, most families and individuals involved in CYF cases no doubt are more comfortable when they do not have to deal with a stranger during each step of resolving their issues.

Trust and confidence are key ingredients in the process of solving problems, as most people well know.

Therefore, if the county could hire several additional full-time CYF caseworkers, rather than 10 "band-aid" part-timers, the CYF department probably would be better off in the long run — and, probably, so would the people who are in need of the department's services.

Meanwhile, it is reasonable to conclude that the county generally would be more successful in hiring full-time caseworkers who would be assured of having a job after six months if there were no problems during their probationary employment period.

Before the county affixes its final stamp on the 10-temps plan, a rethinking of alternatives is in order.

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