Initiating and Sustaining a Mentoring Program for Child Welfare Staff

Abstract

As public child welfare agencies stabilize their workforce, they will need to address the challenges posed by a workforce that needs ongoing opportunities for revitalization, professional development, and recommitment to the agency mission. This article describes a two-year evaluation of a formal mentoring program in a state public child welfare agency targeting supervisors and seasoned workers. It was evaluated using both process and outcome methodologies. Findings reveal that mentees have more confidence, their network has grown, and their investment in their job and the agency has increased; mentors identify increased personal satisfaction and a renewed sense of purpose in their role as a positive outcome of participating.