Delaware child abuse investigator positions are largely vacant, leaving workers overloaded

The day of a Division of Family Services investigator can be unpredictable.

Sometimes, investigators may be contacted by their supervisors before their work day technically begins with updates on cases they’re working on. Other days, the investigator may find out they were assigned a new case overnight, and will work to ensure that the children are somewhere safe – even if it means working late.

It’s a difficult job, Division of Family Services Director Trenee Parker said, but an important one.

It’s also one with more vacant positions than people on staff.

Data from the Child Protection Accountability Commission shows that as of June, over half of all state-allotted regional investigator positions were unfilled, with New Castle County reporting the highest percentage of vacancies.

It has left each current employee to handle an average of 18 cases at a time, with some handling as many as 44 simultaneously.

At the same time last year, the average caseload was about 10.

It’s an alarming statistic, especially as the new school year begins and brings with it the annual influx of calls to the child abuse and neglect hotline.

Schools, along with law enforcement and healthcare professionals, are among the most frequent reporters of suspected child abuse and neglect to the division. Educators are mandated reporters, and the return to classes may be the first time an adult with the requirement or knowledge to report signs of abuse and neglect sees a child since the end of the last school year.

What caused the vacancies?

Parker said that like many other state agencies, the Division of Family Services began to struggle with vacancies during the pandemic. And even as the impact of COVID-19 lessened, difficulties with recruitment and retention remained.

The division has stepped up its recruiting efforts, Parker said, offering hiring bonuses and broadening its social media presence. It’s also expanded the resources it offers to current staff like mental health care – an often necessary aid in a job that can be traumatizing.

In the meantime, existing staff – including those in administrative positions – have stepped up to help out.

Just last week, Parker said she accompanied an assistant regional manager to place a child in a foster home. It’s not something the department would have seen prior to the pandemic, but now, it’s “all hands on deck.”

Parker said she hopes administrative involvement shows the support that the division and the entire Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families has for its staff.

“I would never tell anyone that this is easy work,” Parker said. “It brings tears. It brings heartache. But sometimes those tears are tears of joy.”

Anyone who suspects child sexual or physical abuse or neglect is asked to call the Division of Family Services hotline at 800-292-9582.

Send story tips or ideas to Hannah Edelman at hedelman@delawareonline.com. For more reporting, follow them on Twitter at @h_edelman.

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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware child abuse investigator jobs are vacant, overloading workers