Abstract
There are many studies that focus on the struggles of working for child protective services. Retention rates for social workers are low and turnover rates are high (Kammerman and Kahn, 1989). However, there is a lack of studies showing reasons experienced social workers give for their longevity within the field. This study looks at this area by using in depth qualitative interviews of social workers who have worked in Sacramento County CPS for five years or more. The purpose of this study was to determine what factors experienced social workers give for their longevity within CPS. In-depth interviews were conducted with social workers in Sacramento County CPS (n=8) to determine what factors they perceive to have contributed to their longevity. This study found: that social workers identify supervisors as playing an important role on their career both positivity and negatively; CPS offers better pay and more job opportunities; believe that social work is a calling; understand the importance of self-care; have experienced burnout but have fought through it; measure their success by the success of their clients; and their workload is too high. These findings can affect future hiring policies and employee retention programs within CPS.