Heidi Ehlenz

Child protection social work is an emotionally demanding and high-stakes profession, often characterized by chronic stress, heavy workloads, and persistent exposure to trauma. These conditions contribute to high turnover rates in the field. After describing challenges in the profession, this presentation will share the study’s results and focus on how leaders can improve factors that will support workforce retention and strengthen workplace culture. Through centering the voices of frontline social workers to hear their experiences and the systemic factors that influence their ability to sustain this work, leadership will better understand ways to support child protection staff, including addressing workload, improving support, and ensuring adequate resources. By grounding recommendations in the experiences of those closest to the work, this presentation seeks to contribute to meaningful, practice-driven change within child protection systems.

Advisor: Kabo Yang