Hire Someone, Will Ya?

In the story about the suspenstion of three Job and Family Services Workers there is a small detail that should be the focus of the problem with how the 3,500 cases in the system are administered:

Hamilton County recently implemented reforms to improve operations at the Department of Job and Family Services.

However, they point to the fact each case worker handles about 25 cases a piece, higher than the national average. On top of that, there is a thirty percent vacancy rate in the department.

What is preventing the County from hiring people to fill an understaffed department? A few open positions is natural for any organization, but nearly ONE THIRD of the department? If these position are needed and they are budgeted, FILL THEM NOW! We don't need to endanger more kids because we have a slow hiring process.