Date of Conferral
2-20-2025
Degree
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
School
Psychology
Advisor
Kristen Chesser
Abstract
This study addresses the problem of low staff recruitment and retention rates in therapeutic foster care, resulting in staff burnout and reduced program performance and affecting the program’s targeted population and their communities. A case study allowed for a holistic view of the problem through the unique perspectives of behavioral health leaders within the program selected, which is based in the southeast United States and serves children within the foster care system. The study is grounded using the Baldrige excellence framework. Data were obtained through semi-structured interview with three of the program’s behavioral health leaders. The data were analyzed using thematic content analysis and verified using triangulation. Themes included staff training to build efficacy and fulfillment, recruitment reform, program culture contributing to retention, controllable workplace stressors, and staff cohesion. This study has meaningful implications for micro and macro-level social change, as increased program functioning through reformed leadership behaviors and improved recruitment and retention rates may increase program efficacy and therefore, ideal behavioral health outcomes for the populations served—traumatized children placed in licensed foster care.
Recommended Citation
Allen, Angelique, "Leadership Strategies to Address Employee Turnover in Therapeutic Foster Care within the Southeastern United States" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17402.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17402
