Motion includes

NEW ULM — Brown County commissioners approved adding a child protection worker position as soon as possible Tuesday.

Action came on a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Tony Berg dissenting. A motion by Commissioner Dave Borchert, seconded by Scott Windschitl included addressing worker retention with a workshop including Brown County Administrator Sam Hansen.

The original board request sought approval to add two child protection social worker positions for 2024.

“We’re having a hard time finding people with child protection backgrounds. An internship with that is an advantage. We’ve had lots of worker turnover,” said Brown County Human Services Director Barb Dietz. “Pressure on staff is a big concern. We need to be able to retain staff or we’ll continue in the same position we’ve been in the last few years.”

Dietz said the primary reason for the request is increasing work intensity, staff turnover and length of time it takes to train a new staffer. Dietz said the issue is common in other counties.

“Child protection is a state-mandated service critical to child and family safety,” Dietz said.

Child Protection Supervisor Denise Kamm said training takes staff out of the office. The advertised position seeks a social worker with a bachelors or masters degree.

“We’re struggling. We’ve got a young staff. I’m scared we’ll lose staff and something will happen to a family because we didn’t do what was needed,” said Kamm. “The State keeps adding mandates.

Commissioner Borchert suggested a staff retention workshop.

A human services licensing programs update by Children’s Unit Supervisor Kamm and Licensing Social Worker Laura Filzen revealed Brown county currently has no family adult foster care homes but licenses community residential setting or corporate adult foster homes.

Private agencies have been used since January 2002 due to lack of foster care homes. Sleepy Eye and Springfield children are relocated to New Ulm or out of the community or the county needs to find alternative transportation to school. Currently, six children need transportation to stay in their home school district.

Brown County has eight pending applications for licensed family child care and more than half of them want to open by or before fall 2023.

Grant opportunities continue for child care provider start-up and maintenance of family child care programs.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is implementing a new system for child care licensing, certification and the childcare assistance program (CCAP) registration at the state and county level to eliminate paperwork processes and create a more efficient and user-friendly experience.

A 24/7 online provider hub gives all child care providers access to certification/license information and a central location to complete certification/licensing and CCAP provider registration.

A shortage of infant/toddler and school age care continues in Brown County.