Two County supervisors meet with OCEA regarding CFS Social Worker issues
Dear OCEA Social Worker,
After working with many of you on longstanding issues like, excessive caseloads, undesirable schedules, recruitment challenges, and worker retention, it has become abundantly clear the County of Orange needs political leadership to affect positive change. It comes down to a simple equation: Resolving unreasonable caseloads and other critical workplace issues requires more resources than are currently available.
It is no secret, for decades, the Orange County Board of Supervisors has been led by a majority that undervalues the essential work done by you and your colleagues. Their lack of regard is reflected in the Board majority’s budget allocations. Historically, the Board failed to consider the foreseeable impacts underfunding would have on Social Workers and their work-life balance. The resulting adverse impacts have also long been ignored.
Your fellow OCEA members have been actively working for change where it counts the most: leadership. That is why we stood together to elect two labor champions to the Board of Supervisors—Supervisor Katrina Foley and Supervisor Doug Chaffee.
Earlier this month, OCEA staff met with Supervisor Foley’s and Supervisor Chaffee’s executive staffs. The purpose of the meetings were singular: Educate the Supervisors and their teams on the issues facing Social Workers in the CFS Division, particularly in the Emergency Response program.
The discussion items included:
- Caseloads
- End of shift immediate referrals in ER
- PM Shifts and On-Call Shifts in ER
- Vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue
- A restrictive Transfer Policy
- Recruitment and Retention Challenges
- Fear of retaliation from Management
Our next steps include sending a letter to the Social Services Agency and County leadership demanding action on the issues facing CFS workers. As we fine-tune these demands, it is critically important we receive current feedback from subject matter experts—you!
Please take a moment to fill out the survey for your assigned program to identify your priorities and to provide supporting details.
If you currently work in Emergency Response, please click here to provide details in this SURVEY.
If you currently work in another CFS program, please click here to provide details in this SURVEY.
Survey responses are due by Friday, Nov. 5, 2021.
We know Social Workers in all programs face many issues and we are working with Supervisors Foley and Chaffee to effectively address your workplace concerns. Check your email often. We will send updates and seek feedback throughout this process.
In Solidarity,
OCEA Team
Publication Date: October 27, 2021