703: Leading Orientation Efforts

The importance of staff orientation Agenda Introductions The importance of staff orientation Orientation strategies grounded in best practice Assessming the strengths and gaps Action planning Summary and workshop closure

Learning Objectives Identify the relationship between staff orientation and other organizational factors Identify components of an effective orientation program Assess the strengths and gaps in agency capacity to enhance orientation practice Identify quick wins to support the orientation of new workers The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Training Program

According to Research… Children with one caseworker had a 74.5% chance of permanency compared to 17.5% for children with two workers, and 5.3% for children with three workers. (Flower et al., 2005).

Caseworker Turnover Many workers admit to not having been provided the resources and opportunities to develop the needed skills to perform successfully in child welfare. They attribute their own lack of competence and that of their co-workers and supervisors to negatively affecting job satisfaction. This has been identified as a major cause of casework turnover. (Hewitt, Larson, & Lakin, 2000; Larson, Lakin, & Bruininks, 1998).

According to Research… Reducing stress and providing realistic information about job stresses to new employees after hire can reduce turnover. (Larson, S., Hewitt, A., 2012)

Onboarding or Orientation?

Two Main Functions of an Orientation Process To introduce new employees to the culture of the organization and provide opportunities to acculturate. To foster understanding of how a new employee’s job functions connect to the larger agency.

Reflective Thinking Activity Discuss the questions on page 7 of the Participant Guide. Identify at least one main reason you would be interested in enhancing your orientation program? Document this reason on page 8 of the Participant Guide.  

Why Take the Time? What is the main reason you would be interested in enhancing your orientation program? The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

County Examples Which aspects of a model orientation program speak to the needs of your agency?

Comparing and Prioritizing Activity Answer the questions on page 14 of the Participant Guide: Compare and contrast your list on page 13 of the Participant Guide. Identify three ideas that as a group, you think will have the most impact if implemented. Identity what impact would they have. Of the three pick one that the group agrees will have the most impact on the success of the orientation program/retention of staff. (For report-out)

Strengths, Gaps, and Remedies Activity Instructions Refer to Participant Guide pages 16-17, discuss, and identify the following in small groups: What are the strengths that will help your agency achieve the main outcome you identified? (report-out top 3) What are the gaps/barriers that keep you from reaching your outcome? (report-out top 3) What are the reasons for the gaps identified/remedies? (report-out top 3) Which remedies are most easily addressed? Identify three main themes or areas for improvement. 

Quick Wins/Next Steps Activity Identify at least three “quick wins” you can do immediately to support your agency’s identified orientation effort.

You Must Have Questions!

Learning Objectives Identify the relationship between staff orientation and other organizational factors Identify components of an effective orientation program Assess the strengths and gaps in agency capacity to enhance orientation practice Identify quick wins to support the orientation of new workers The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Training Program