Common use of Challenges Clause in Contracts

Challenges. Caseloads – DHS’ ability to achieve progress in the most critical areas of the reform hinges on reducing worker caseloads. During SFY13, DHS reports it established new positions for 230 caseworkers and 85 supervisors. However, the Department has faced an immense challenge of retaining both new and seasoned caseworkers and stemming exceptionally high staff turnover. Despite the efforts to reduce caseloads with new positions, the high turnover rate creates a constant stream of vacant positions and adds additional pressure on an unstable and new workforce that is trying to manage a CPS backlog of 1833 cases as of mid-October and provide quality care for the increasing number of children in custody. The Co-Neutrals are concerned that the final SFY14 budget did not fully fund the Pinnacle Plan, apparently undercutting at least one of the core strategies DHS committed to implement in order to attract and retain staff to protect vulnerable children: an annual compensation increase. The Co-Neutrals have been advised by numerous stakeholders and child welfare leaders across Oklahoma that absent the raises promised to child welfare staff, many of whom now work in parts of Oklahoma under very difficult working conditions – DHS will find it increasingly difficult to attract and retain qualified staff to protect Oklahoma’s children. To be clear: the Co-Neutrals expect DHS to implement the Pinnacle Plan as approved, including the state’s commitment to raise the salaries for child welfare workers after many years of stagnancy. Because the state characterized the raises to the Co-Neutrals as a fundamental strategy when it developed the Pinnacle Plan, and because the agency’s problems with staff turnover is fast forging a new crisis on the frontlines of the organization, the Co-Neutrals are committed to monitor and evaluate the steps the state takes to secure the necessary funds. We expect the state to determine whether the Department can find the necessary resources within its existing appropriation to fund the salary raises, or to use other options available - at this time - to fully fund the Plan.

Challenges.  Caseloads – DHS’ ability to achieve progress in the most critical areas of the reform hinges on reducing worker caseloads. During SFY13, DHS reports it established new positions for 230 caseworkers and 85 supervisors. However, the Department has faced an immense challenge of retaining both new and seasoned caseworkers and stemming exceptionally high staff turnover. Despite the efforts to reduce caseloads with new positions, the high turnover rate creates a constant stream of vacant positions and adds additional pressure on an unstable and new workforce that is trying to manage a CPS backlog of 1833 cases as of mid-October and provide quality care for the increasing number of children in custody. The Co-Neutrals are concerned that the final SFY14 budget did not fully fund the Pinnacle Plan, apparently undercutting at least one of the core strategies DHS committed to implement in order to attract and retain staff to protect vulnerable children: an annual compensation increase. The Co-Neutrals have been advised by numerous stakeholders and child welfare leaders across Oklahoma that absent the raises promised to child welfare staff, many of whom now work in parts of Oklahoma under very difficult working conditions – DHS will find it increasingly difficult to attract and retain qualified staff to protect Oklahoma’s children. To be clear: the Co-Neutrals expect DHS to implement the Pinnacle Plan as approved, including the state’s commitment to raise the salaries for child welfare workers after many years of stagnancy. Because the state characterized the raises to the Co-Neutrals as a fundamental strategy when it developed the Pinnacle Plan, and because the agency’s problems with staff turnover is fast forging a new crisis on the frontlines of the organization, the Co-Neutrals are committed to monitor and evaluate the steps the state takes to secure the necessary funds. We expect the state to determine whether the Department can find the necessary resources within its existing appropriation to fund the salary raises, or to use other options available - at this time - to fully fund the Plan.