Working for County Children and Youth Services (CYS) has always been a high stress job. They must investigate every allegation of child abuse and, if necessary, remove the child from the home. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) represents them. The majority of cases are in poor homes. Staffing shortages at Children and Youth Services are a common problem.
Recently, regional Children and Youth Services workers have had issues with staffing shortages due to low pay. The annual starting salary in Cambria County was $28,000 per year. Low staffing only increases the caseloads of those who still work for the agency. For example, Blair county only has 6 caseworkers out of a needed 38. Burnout is high in this profession. They battle with local county commissioners for pay increases.
SEIU has had some success with Somerset County and the Cambria County Commissioners are voting. I interviewed Alex Ciotti of SEIU Local 668 on the struggles CYS workers in the area have. The interview can be seen above.
In the 1990s, the Gaddis case (pictured above) caused an uproar. This was a case of a father savagely abusing his seven children. When these things happen people ask “where was CYS?” Before these things happen, most people hardly pay attention to these issues. This is the time to pay attention before things like the Gaddis case happen. Staffing shortages at Children and Youth Services are a disaster waiting to happen. CYS caseworkers should be just as essential as the fire and police departments.