County to contract with child welfare workers to reduce OYFS case backlog
SCRANTON — Lackawanna County plans to contract with about a dozen out-of-county child welfare workers to help reduce a considerable backlog of Office of Youth and Family Services cases.
Commissioners approved Tuesday the terms of an agreement under which workers serving the county as independent contractors will earn an hourly rate of $35 plus mileage, meals and hotels. The state would reimburse 80% of the cost.
About 14 certified child welfare professionals are interested in the work, Human Services Assistant Administrator Kerry Browning told commissioners. Each would have their own contract with the county and won't receive benefits.
They'd perform risk and safety assessments and review child neglect and abuse allegations that, if founded, would be referred to county-employed OYFS caseworkers or supervisors. Emergency services would be contacted when necessary.
The move comes as county officials continue to grapple with a backlog of about 967 OYFS cases amid ongoing staffing challenges made less severe in recent months. It's part of a broader strategy to relieve pressure on the child protection agency still operating on a provisional license following a state downgrade last year.
"Obviously the workers that we have in that department have done a wonderful job of continuing to be there each and every day," Commissioner Matt McGloin said Tuesday. "Something like this, as we all know, can be extremely extremely helpful in helping everybody there get caught up on that backlog."
McGloin and fellow Majority Commissioner Bill Gaughan announced in May sweeping changes designed to keep more families out of the child welfare system by connecting them with a network of community-based service providers. The goal of the proposed Family First Community Pathways program pending state approval is to address family issues before they escalate and require OYFS intervention.
In announcing the Pathways proposal, commissioners also announced the disbanding of the county's fledgling health department for financial reasons. They announced later in May that Rachna Saxena, the former deputy director of the disbanded health department, will manage the Pathways program.
A team of nine other former health department employees will work under Saxena as navigators connecting families with services and providers.
As officials work to stand up that program, concerted efforts to bolster OYFS staffing have proven successful. The agency currently employs about 40 caseworkers, up from just about 23 in January, Gaughan reported Tuesday.
"We're not in the best position but we're in a much better position than we were six months ago; so it's a huge improvement," he said.
