Yesterday, SJS was approached about a potential Child Protective Service(CPS) workers strike in Los Angeles County, CA..The tension between The Department of Children and Family Services(DCFS) and the local county have reached a critical point as the workers are demanding reduced caseloads over concerns that the increased load will make it more difficult to conduct ethical practice.
These concerns where echoed on a comment on our Facebook page:
“Social workers of DCFS have a great responsibility CHILD SAFETY which we cannot ensure due to the high caseloads we are given.”
Social Workers at DCFS are angered as the safety and well-being of a child in the system often depends on the availability and contact of assigned workers, something that has become increasingly difficult as caseloads rise. Currently, the Services Employees International Union local 721 has been identified as the coordinating agency for a potential strike. The DCFS workers face a catch-22 with a strike because it could be potentially harmful to clients who will be left without services, and yet , if they do not strike the workers have no leverage to negotiate with a county system that is disregarding ethical practice. Considering the long term impact of the problem, and the county’s unwillingness to compromise, they might be left with no choice.
If you or someone you know is involved in this story, or would like to update the community, please reach out to info@socialjusticesolutions.org. Stay tuned as we continue to cover this developing story.
By: Courtney Kidd, LMSW
Staff Writer
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