This project conducted an investigation in the area of human resource management for human services workers. The project purpose and problem statement are presented in this chapter. Additionally, the problem setting, history and background on the problem, project scope, project importance/significance, and definition of terms are presented in this chapter.
The purpose of this project was to develop a solution alternative to the problem of acquiring and retaining competent and dedicated personnel for human services work in the public sector in the State of Florida. The character of human services activities in the public sector demands different approaches from those employed in the acquisition and retention of personnel for many private sector jobs.
While the demands placed on the Health and Rehabilitative Services Department of the State of Florida continue to increase, these same demands, together with the stresses associated with the performance of human services work, create barriers to the acquisition and retention of competent personnel to discharge human services responsibilities for the state. It is imperative for the State of Florida to develop human resource management policies and programs to effectively address this problem.
The setting of the problem that was investigated through the conduct of this project was the Adoptions and Related Services function of the Youth and Families Services Division of the Health and Rehabilitative Services Department of the State of Florida. More specifically, the setting of the problem investigated involved the district office serving Palm Beach County, Florida.
In recent years, the general performance of the Youth and Families Services Department has proved to be a widespread embarrassment to the State of Florida. Unconscionable actions toward some parents, patent disregard for the welfare of some children, and countless other incidents have brought condemnation to the d...