AUSTIN, TEXAS (AP) -- A new report says legislative efforts in 2007 led to more caseworkers for Child Protective Services but failed to solve high turnover rates and rising overtime costs.
The State Auditor's Office report released Monday on CPS staffing said in 2007 there were 4,104 caseworkers in Texas, 965 more than in 2004. By 2007, workers were also paid more, had fewer cases per investigator and received annual bonuses up to $5,000.
At the same time, they spent more time working on those fewer cases, logging almost $7 million in overtime in 2007. That's up from $1.7 million in 2004.
Turnover rates among caseworkers also increased from 23 percent to 34.1 percent.
The report says that from 2006 to 2009, the state put $343 million toward staff and caseload reform.
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