Abstract
Child Welfare Services (CWS) programs have historically struggled with retaining social services staff. This study examines staff retention among rural CWS agencies to determine if certain characteristics of rural practice impact staff longevity. This study collects qualitative and quantitative data from social service staff employed in 16 rural California counties. Findings suggest that workers' personal and professional lives frequently overlap given the nature of rural counties, however the frequency of these encounters had no statistically significant impact on staff retention. The ability to maintain boundaries between one's personal and professional self were explored and found to be a source of conflict for many workers. Respondents cited the importance of peer debriefing to help cope with work challenges, and the role community safety plays in staff retention and overall job satisfaction.