Introduction
Retention Toolkit provides access to resources that help ESIT Providers support staff retention. Information on this page was created based on the U.S. Surgeon General's Framework for Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being.
Positive social-emotional outcomes are important for both children and those who provide early support services. Mental well-being is essential to staff retention.
Washington state's system shows similar data to the national research. Staff retention continues to be a challenge statewide.
Prioritize Safety
The links below provide resources for safety challenges.
Videos:
6 Ways to Stay Safe During Home Visits
Home Visit Tag Along: Steps to Staying Safe
Web Resources:
Oregon's Home Visitor Safety Guide
Home Visiting Safety: Be Aware and Trust Your Instincts
A Guide for Domestic Violence Advocates
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect
Rest
Rest is important for providers. Check out a few of the links below for resources.
Videos
- Self-Care to Communities of Care
- A Self-Care Action Plan
- Using Five Minutes of Self-Care to Survive Burnout
Web Resources:
Support Mental Health
Providers can support the mental health of staff by communicating and sharing services. Check out a few of the links below for resources.
Videos:
Web Resources:
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)
Agencies can prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) with policies, procedures, and training programs. Check out a few of the links below for resources.
Videos:
- Let's Stop Talking About Diversity and Start Working Toward Equity
- Belonging, a Critical Piece of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Web Resources:
Competitive Wages and Benefits
While salary and benefits are a foundational factor in staff retention.
Wage and Benefit Study
A common theme across conversations with local ESIT program administrators is the need for more competitive wages. Planning for a wage and benefit study that will inform approaches to compensation for ESIT provider agencies will begin soon. If you have an interest in participating, or have questions, please reach out to valerie.arnold@dcyf.wa.gov, or call 360-485-7773.
Engage Workers in Workplace Decisions
Involving staff at all levels in the development of an agency's vision, mission, values, and strategic planning can promote a greater level of investment. Check out a few of the links below for resources.
Videos
- From Employee Engagement to Employee Experience
- Employee Engagement- Who's Sinking Your Boat?
- What Makes us Feel Good About our Work?
Web Resources
- Why Managers Should Involve Their Team in the Decision-Making Process
- Here's how you can engage employees in decision-making processes
Build a Culture of Gratitude and Recognition
Promoting a culture of gratitude goes a long way in supporting healthy teams. Recognition for a job well done prevents employees from feeling like they have a thankless job. Check out a few of the links below for resources.
Videos
- The Power of Appreciation
- How to Show Your Team You Care
- Why You Need to Show Employee Appreciation and 3 Ways to Do It
Connect Individual Work with Organizational Mission
Having a shared understanding that all of us are working toward a common goal is motivational and provides context, clarity, and meaning to the work. Check out a few of the links below for resources.
Videos:
Podcasts:
Web Resources:
Create a Culture of Inclusion and Belonging
By creating environments that encourage connection, organizations can ensure that employees from all backgrounds feel valued and included.
Check out a few of the links below for resources.
Videos:
- How to Go Beyond Diversity and Inclusion to Community and Belonging
- Belonging, A Critical Piece of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Carin Taylor TEDx Sonoma County
- Creating Cultures of Belonging with Ingo Rauth PhD
- The Surprising Solution to Workplace Diversity. Arwa Mahdawi, TEDx Hamburg
- Why We Should Promote Belonging in the Workplace. Destiny Fordham, TEDx U Cincinnati
- From the Inside Out: Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging. Wendy Knight Agard, TEDx Kanata
- Inclusion over Diversity. Kenyona Matthews, TEDx Akron
Create Trusted Relationships
Supportive work relationships can boost performance and are linked to higher employee engagement. Check out a few of the links below for resources.
Videos:
- How to Build—and Repair—Trust at Work Christine vs. Work. Harvard Business Review
- BRAVING - The 7 Pillars of Trust by Brene Brown
- How to Build Trust and Relationships
- The Trust Equation by David Maister explained: How to build trust
- Simon Sinek - Trust vs Performance. Gabe Villamizar
Web Resources:
- How to Build Trust in the Workplace: The Ultimate Guide for Today
- 5 Powerful Strategies to Build Trust In The Workplace. Caroline Castrillon, Forbes
- 14 Tips for Building Trust at Work (And Why It Matters). Jamie Birt, Indeed
Foster Collaboration and Teamwork
Check out a few of the links below for resources.
Videos:
- How to Foster Prosocial Behavior in Remote Teams
- First Step to Collaboration? Don't be so Defensive!
- Communication Hacks: Fostering Collaboration & Dealing with Conflict
- The Virtual Lunch Table: Building Community in a Hybrid Work World
- The Impact of Hybrid Work on Organizational Connection & Culture - Gallup
Web Resources:
