Caseload, workload, and time studies can be used to analyze the effects of caseloads on workers, explore considerations for developing caseload standards or measures, and utilize workload assessment methodologies and tools. Use these examples as resources to help determine appropriate staffing levels as well as caseload and workload standards and to inform decisions about caseload and workload study design and implementation.
2022 Child Welfare Caseload and Workload Analysis (PDF - 252 KB)
Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Service (2022)
Presents a data-informed analysis of annual caseloads and workloads for child welfare staff in Maine and discusses a tool being used in the State to study workloads.
Case Manager Perceptions of the Effects of Caseload Level Reduction in a Child Welfare Agency (PDF - 291 KB)
Steen (2020)
Journal of Family Strengths, 20(2)
Examines the effects of caseload reduction from the viewpoint of child welfare case managers and on case outcomes.
Caseload and Workload Management
Child Welfare Caseload Study
The Improve Group
Describes a study of child welfare caseloads in Minnesota that examines what workload variables impact the intensity of caseworker workload and how improvements can be made.
Children’s Home Society: CaseAim Evaluation (PDF - 331 KB)
Florida Institute for Child Welfare (2018)
Provides an overview of the CaseAIM intervention, which allows workers to carry out some case-related tasks while in the field through mobile devices with the goal of increasing time spent with families and children. The report also includes program successes and recommendations for improvement.
Final Report: Child Welfare Social Worker Caseloads (PDF - 603 KB)
Ventura County Grand Jury (2018)
Summarizes an investigation conducted by the Ventura County Grand Jury into whether child welfare workers had reasonable caseloads and the way reasonable was defined by them and by Children and Family Services within the County of Ventura Human Services Agency.
How Satisfied Are Home Visitors With Their Caseloads? (PDF - 438 KB)
Sandstrom, Lou, & Benatar (2021)
Presents findings from a study on home visitors and their satisfaction with their caseload size; how caseloads relate to stress, retention, and turnover; and the types of home visitors that report caseloads are too light or too heavy.
Monitoring of Selected Child Welfare Caseloads (PDF - 895 KB)
Michigan Office of the Auditor General (2021)
Evaluates the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' compliance with caseload standards and offers recommendations for improvements including improved monitoring of case assignments.
Time Use Studies: Studying Workforce Time Use to Improve Outcomes for Children and Families
Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago
Discusses how Chapin Hall’s Data Center developed the Time Use and Costing System and shares how it has been implemented.
Wisconsin Child Welfare Workload Study: Final Report (PDF - 2,120 KB)
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (2021)
Presents results of a study in Wisconsin that includes a time study that recorded family-related and non-family related time spent on child protective services. The outcome included recommendations to inform child welfare staffing estimates.