Chair asks about social worker vacancies and discharge planning compliance
Brooks-Powers asks whether CHS has hired more social workers since the last compliance report and why it has never been in full compliance with court-ordered discharge planning staffing. Epstein says CHS has only one vacancy, has improved salaries and recruitment, and faces challenges including difficult commutes.
The most recent Brad H.
Compliance report noted that CHS hired three additional social workers, bringing the social worker staffing rate up to 90%.
Has CHS hired any additional social workers since the last reporting period, June through December 2025?
Yes, that's what my colleague Ellie referenced.
I believe we only have one current vacancy, so we have staffed up.
Is there an estimate to when that last position will be staffed?
I believe we're actively recruiting.
I can let you know when it's filled.
Has CHS created any sort of retention and recruitment plan to increase the discharge plan staff categories, staffing rate to 100%?
For that specific, I might call up my colleague.
Sure.
So we actually, over the last couple of years, have worked really hard to try and increase salaries to start engaging more with different school programs.
We have an incredible internal program to support social workers who are pursuing their clinical hours and licensure.
So we've done a lot of work to try and advertise the incredible opportunities available within our department, and we think that that's really making a difference.
Thank you.
CHS has never been in compliance with court orders from April 2014, September 2014, and April 2021, which all required full staffing of all discharge planning positions.
Why do you feel that's the case?
It is an incredible calling and to work and serve folks who are
in custody can be quite a daunting professional challenge.
There's also some practical considerations.
It's a tough commute.
And so it can be difficult to find folks who have that level of skill and who are also called to do this work.
And it's a real testament to the incredible team that we have, that we have the kind of retention rate, and that we have been able to recruit as many talented, wonderful professionals as we have.
Thank you.