Children’s Corps links individuals who are passionate about supporting and strengthening families to a full-time position at agencies within the New York City child welfare system.

 What Is the need?

The need for strong caseworkers is one of the most pressing issues facing the child welfare system, both within NYC and on a national level. When effective strategies for worker recruitment, training, and support are not in place, the impact is felt on multiple levels, including by children and families as well as by frontline staff. 

Children and families affected by the foster care system need the caseworker assisting them to be stable, consistent and well trained.

Consistent support by caring adults means kids leave care faster

Children with one caseworker end up connected with an unconditional and permanent family in 74.5% of cases. When the number of caseworkers involved in a child’s life increases, their chances of achieving permanency decreases.

Caseworkers need ongoing training and unwavering support

  • Approximately 3 out of every 5 caseworkers in NYC leave their position within the first year

  • Turnover occurs for a variety of reasons. Child welfare caseworkers can experience high caseloads, exposure to secondary trauma, and challenging agency environments. 

  • Research has shown that strong coworker relationships and a sense of community can mitigate the effects of some of these workforce stressors.

How does Children’s Corps address this need?

Across the nation, key players in the child welfare field have identified some strategies for addressing caseworker turnover, including strategic recruitment and selection, comprehensive training, and systems for support. At Children’s Corps, we integrate these practices into a unique approach to addressing worker retention

  • Recruitment

    We recruit intentionally, building relationships with colleges, universities, and community partners on a large scale (locally, nationally, in-person and online).

  • Selection

    Our application and interview process uses behavioral-based questions to identify candidates with the traits and characteristics necessary to succeed in child welfare

  • Pre-Service Training

    We build a cohort during our mandatory Pre-Service training Academy to support mindset training. This training builds off of Corps members’ existing traits & characteristics that will be beneficial in child welfare work.

    Members are provided with a foundation of real world experience, knowledge, policy, theory, and competency skills. Trainings takes place in the classroom, in the field, virtually and in person in NYC.

  • Support

    We provide unwavering, wrap-around support services for members during their 2-years in the corps. While support looks different for every member, they are able to access one-on-one professional development and trainings, team building events and alumni mentorship and coaching.

What is the impact of Children’s Corps?

Since Children’s Corps began in 2011, the program has achieved some notable results: 

  • Improving caseworker retention rates: The Children’s Corps average retention rate after one year is 80%, compared to the New York City average retention rate of 60-65%. 

  • Improving opportunities and outcomes for children and families: Children’s Corps members and alumni impact the lives of thousands of children and families throughout New York City and beyond. 

  • Creating future leaders in child welfare: Children’s Corps alumni community continues to effect change through a variety of professional tracks including policy, legal, clinical, social entrepreneurship, agency administration, and academia.

Interested in becoming a Corps member?

Please find out more about how to join the next Children’s Corps cohort by visiting the Prospective Members page.

Is your organization interested in becoming a partner?

Please contact us here.