The state Office of Children’s Services (OCS) is struggling to recruit and retain qualified workers, according to a recent audit by the Division of Legislative Audit. The audit found that despite $20.7 million in additional funding, implementation has fallen short of what was expected. The agency's director, Kim Guay, told lawmakers that the difficulty lies in the ability to hire and retain workers for the complex role of child welfare caseworker. This shift in OCS's workforce has been attributed to changes in the applicant pool since the state reclassified job requirements to "core competencies" rather than educational requirements. Critics, including Amanda Metivier, suggest raising wages as a solution to the problem.