This article responds to Do Social Workers Make Better Child Welfare Workers than Non-Social Workers? by Dr. Robin E. Perry. The article articulates National Association of Social Workers'support for a professional social work labor force to serve children and their families and for continued federal investment in the training of these workers. Professionally educated and trained social workers in child welfare agencies have good retention rates, report high satisfaction with their work, and have a solid understanding of the child welfare service arena. Children and families in crisis deserve access to the best resources available, including professional social workers.
Action Network for Social Work Education and Research (ANSWER Coalition). (2005). Statement and action alert on Title IV-E training. Retrieved on August 27, 2005, from http://www.socialworkers.org/advocacy/alerts/041805.asp
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Clark, E. (2003). Written testimony of Elizabeth J. Clark, executive director, National Association of Social Workers for the Human Resources Subcommittee, U.S. Committee on Ways and Means. Retrieved on August 27, 2005, from http://www.socialworkers.org/advocacy/issues/NASW_Testimony_June_2003.pdf
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Perry, R. (2006). Do social workers make better child welfare workers than non-social workers?Research on Social Work Practice, 16, 392-405.
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U.S. General Accounting Office. (2003). Child welfare: HHS could play a greater role in helping child welfare agencies recruit and retain staff. Washington, DC: Author.
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Whitaker, T., Reich, S., Reid, L., Williams, M., & Woodside, C. (2004). If you're right for the job, it's the best job in the world: The National Association of Social Workers' child welfare specialty practice section members describe their experiences in child welfare. Washington, DC: National Association of Social Workers.
