As a Director of one of the many LDSS that have struggled recruiting quality FSS, believe I can safely say that something needs to change. The two-pronged solution......to me.......is fairly siimple. Well, at least simple to type. 

We need to expand our interview pools, while also attracting a higher quality applicant. 

To expand our interview pools.......we must loosen the restrictions. I believe we should modify the degree requirement to simply be "any BA/BS Degree", and do away with any human services related experience requirements. (For agencies that actually do need to narrow their interview pools, they could include preferred requirements of a human services degree and/or human services experience. Everyone wins.)

To attract a higher quality applicant............FSS Salaries should be addressed in a meaningful manner. Our workers are our foundation. The best training, systems, and policies will not help if our foundation is not strong. 

Sincerely,

Trevor Hensley