How Do We Retain Good People in the Home Visiting Field?

The typical response is “pay them more.” While adequate compensation is important there are other factors also at play.

Having a flexible schedule is reported as a key element, along with:

• Organization that supports home visiting as a key mission strategy,

• Adaptive leadership approach that promotes autonomy and flexible work arrangements, 

• Opportunities for professional growth, 

• Generous leave (assists to balance the pay),

• Recognition as a valued team member, and

• Reasonable work duties that can be completed within paid working hours. 

If a home visitor walks out the door before they have worked for your organization for at least two years, the organization takes an economic loss in the training they have invested in the home visitor. Organizations are still required to ensure families get home visiting services even when there is a vacancy which means everyone on the team takes on a little more work. The cost to the families being served is unmeasurable.

There will always be things outside of your control that cause a good home visitor to resign. Let us focus together on how we retain home visitors by addressing the issues that are within our control. 

Happy learning, Janet