Safe Children Coalition launches case management training program

Professional development and specialized training programs are important in any industry but particularly for case managers in the child welfare realm. Case managers are responsible for improving family outcomes and ensuring child safety while adhering to strict state certification mandates.

Proper training also helps to support retention efforts in a field with extraordinary turnover rates: according to the Florida Institute for Child Welfare, statewide annual turnover for child welfare case managers is extremely high, with rates ranging from 37-50%, even reaching 80% in some areas of the state. Roughly 81% of newly-hired frontline workers leave their original agencies within 3.5 years. At the core of retention issues are high caseloads and burnout.

Subscribe

Case manager turnover can increase the length of time a child is likely to remain in the state care system. Lack of consistent support can also result in additional trauma for children when new professionals are put on their case.

For many years, child welfare organization Safe Children Coalition (SCC) has distinguished itself among Florida’s Community Based Care (CBC) system, with specialized training to better prepare its case managers for their work while providing additional “in the field” support training. Twice a year, SCC offers Provider Fairs that connect staff members with helpful resources throughout SCC’s three-county service area in Florida’s Circuit 12 (Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties). The most recent Provider Fair was held in mid-May.

SCC’s Learning and Development team is responsible for the coordination of the annual or biannual SCC Conference, which convenes hundreds of child welfare professionals from around the state to hear from topic matter experts as well as to network with peers working in the field. The next SCC Conference will be held in May 2027.

SCC has also recently implemented a new DCF statewide preservice training program – which has been expanded from eight to 12 weeks – called The Florida Academy, which was in development for five years. SCC is one of the first CBCs in the state to implement this training. Additionally, SCC supports new staff after pre-service training to strengthen practice and ensure certification is achieved within the first year – and maintained.

"We are seeing a significant improvement in both the understanding and application of new skills as a result of the revised curriculum and certification process. The more rigorous curriculum, combined with increased field-based, hands-on learning opportunities, has made a noticeable difference in learners’ confidence and preparedness," said Colleen Buscemi, Quality Assurance & Learning and Professional Development Director for SCC. "We are currently training our second Florida Academy cohort and are encouraged by the results we have seen thus far. Our hope is that better preparing new child welfare professionals for the reality of the work will also lead to improved retention over time."

One-year data running through April 30, 2026 shows the effectiveness of the new training: the percentage of case management turnover at SCC is now well below the average of 30%, landing at just over 23%. In the previous year, the case manager turnover rate was nearly 31%.

For more about Safe Children Coalition, visit sccfl.org.

About Safe Children Coalition, Inc.
Safe Children Coalition, Inc. (SCC) serves as the lead agency for community-based care for Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. SCC is a collaboration between local community agencies who provide services to children and families in need. SCC is committed to protecting children, strengthening families, and building community. The core functions provided by SCC include child welfare case management, foster care, adoption, independent living, prevention, diversion, quality management, and support services. Visit sccfl.org or call 941-371-4799.