About OCS: Workforce
A primary goal of the Office of Children's Services is to recruite and retain a quality workforce. In order to meet this goal OCS has implemented the following strategies:
Recruitment and retention strategies remain a priority
Increased workforce retention remains one of the Office of Children’s Services most significant challenges and commitments. With support from the administration and Legislature, the Office of Children’s Services has increased the number of social worker positions. In fiscal year 2005, the Office of Children’s Services received and filled 26 positions; 31 more positions were received in fiscal year 2006. The Office of Children’s Services is working toward caseloads that allow the time required to achieve positive outcomes for children and families.
Specific efforts at recruitment include job fairs both in and out of Alaska, presentations to college students about job opportunities at the Office of Children’s Services, and advertising with national associations and job search agencies. The Office of Children’s Services is also making efforts to recruit and retain staff by offering stipends to students enrolled in social work programs at the University of Alaska Anchorage and Fairbanks who commit to working for the Office of Children’s Services upon graduation.