DCF staff turnover remains high as agency studies why workers leave
One of Connecticut’s most embattled state agencies is trying to figure out how to keep more staff members, especially with a potential wave of retirements expected next year.
The concern comes as the Department of Children and Families continues to face scrutiny following a series of high-profile cases involving abused children.
State data from 2024 and 2025 showed a slight decrease in the number of workers leaving the agency over two years, but DCF reported turnover was still 40%.
DCF leaders told members of the State Advisory Council they are taking a closer look at the data to better understand why staff leave the agency so often.
Among the findings was a breakdown of which social workers stay on the job the longest, based on gender and race.
During a recent presentation, DCF Chief of Continuous Quality Improvement Rosemary Wieworka said the highest retention rates were among Black and African American women, followed by Hispanic and Latino women, white women, Black men, white men, and Hispanic men.
But the data review also raised concerns about the experiences of social workers of color in areas where most clients are white.
One worker said some families bring prejudice, bias, and racism into already difficult interactions with the agency and suggested additional training could help employees manage those situations.
The issue of telework also came up again, a topic previously highlighted in NBC Connecticut Investigates reporting.
While some DCF employees say telework offers flexibility, at least one worker said it may also contribute to turnover by making employees feel more isolated.
That employee said telework can lead to people working in silos, with fewer chances to ask quick questions or build the kind of connection that comes from being in the office together.
Telework is not expected to go away anytime soon.
Even with those challenges, DCF said some regional offices are doing better at retaining employees, including offices in Manchester and Bridgeport.
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