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“I Don’t Want a New Worker. Where’s My Old Worker?”: Relationship Disruptions Between Youth and Child Welfare Professionals

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“Clearly there is always going to be some degree of turnover in child welfare, however, this study found time and time again that it was not just that turnover happened, but how turnover happened.”

Dr. Ashley Curry

In this episode, our guest Dr. Ashley Curry discusses her research exploring turnover within the child welfare system and the lived experiences of individuals impacted by relationship disruptions. Originating from a multi-method qualitative approach, Dr. Curry’s findings highlight the perspectives of three distinct groups experiencing turnover within a child welfare organization: specifically, agency administrators, agency workers, and youth receiving care. Key implications and recommendations for child welfare organizations undergoing worker turnover and staffing changes are considered.

Dr. Ashley Curry

Ashley Curry, PhD, LCSW, is an assistant clinical professor at Erikson Institute in Chicago, Illinois. She received her doctorate from the School of Social Service Administration (SSA) at the University of Chicago. Her research interests include children’s experiences of child welfare services; the impact of organizational dynamics, especially turnover, on children; and relational approaches to practice, including reflective practice and reflective supervision. Dr. Curry teaches a variety of practice courses and facilitates reflective practice supervision seminars. Prior to joining Erikson, she spent over 15 years practicing social work within the fields of child welfare and mental health.

Interviewer: Annette Semanchin Jones, PhD

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