In September 2006, the State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services Children’s Administration (CA) engaged Walter R. McDonald & Associates, Inc. (WRMA) and American Humane (AH) to perform a workload study that would establish baseline standards by accurately measuring the child welfare staff current operational workload. A primary goal of the study was to equip CA with the tools, models, and skills necessary to continuously reassess workloads based on the changing in factors that influence the provision of child welfare services. The standards, based on child welfare best practices, will also be used in a cost benefit analysis and “break even” estimate for a new State of Washington Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS).

WRMA prepared the following publications:

• Washington State Children’s Administration Workload Study, Volume I: Workload Study Report.
  
• Washington State Children’s Administration Workload Study, Volume II: Methodology
  
• Washington State Children’s Administration Workload Study, Summary Report