This measure represents the percentage of direct service staff who are in an SSW II or higher title. The SSW II title requires a minimum of three years of experience with DCFS as well as extensive additional training on best practice for child welfare. 

Data for this measure is pulled on the first of the month

In 2021, DCFS created the SSW II title as part of a broader compensation strategy to reduce turnover and increase skills among direct service staff. The agency also received important compensation investments during the 2021 and 2022 legislative sessions, dedicated to direct service staff and key support positions. DCFS set a goal to achieve a 7% increase in the number of frontline staff with an SSW II title or higher, aiming to move from 47.5% in fiscal year 2021 to 51% by the end of fiscal year 2024.

The number of experienced staff in frontline positions generally increased after the creation of the SSW II title in 2021, reaching a high of 49.91% in June 2024. Several regions also reported their lowest vacancy rates in years. The compensation investments helped reduce turnover and improve recruitment, which boosted morale and increased the agency’s capacity to serve children and families. DCFS also implemented additional strategies to address turnover and support employees, including LEAD courses for supervisors and leaders to improve skills in one-on-one engagement, employee well-being, effective coaching and feedback, performance planning, data use, team growth and well-being, conflict resolution, performance monitoring, organization and time management, and self-care.

On August 29, 2024, after carefully reviewing the DCFS budget and considering other options, agency leaders decided to phase out the SSW II step in the compensation plan. This decision was made after weighing various personnel factors and was determined to have the least impact on staff overall. Employees hired before June 30, 2024, who are currently in a Caseworker I or Social Service Worker position, may still qualify for the SSW II promotion through June 30, 2027, if they meet all the requirements. This change took effect July 1, 2024.

Additionally, DCFS no longer covers the cost of social work courses through Utah State University (USU).

As a result, there was a notable decline from the peak of 49.91% in June 2024 to 43.57% in July 2024. Since then, the percentage has stabilized and is now holding in the low 40% range, with the most recent data from December 2025 showing 43.54% of direct service workers with an SSW II title or higher.