Workforce Recruitment and Retention Remain an Issue for State Health Agencies

Turnover rates for the state’s health agencies have increased since 2016, ranging from about 20 percent for DPH to about 35 percent for DBHDD. DBHDD has seen a 28 percent decrease in staff from 2016 to 2022—from a high of about 4,128 full-time staff to a low of 2,982. Similarly, DCH has seen a 32 percent decrease in staff from 2016 to 2022—from a high of about 943 full-time staff to a low of 641. The AFY 2023 budget included $5,000 cost-ofliving increases, as well as salary increases for select job categories at both DBHDD and DPH. The impact of those increases is not reflected in the most recent workforce data. Full-time staff at all three agencies will receive an additional $2,000 cost-of-living increase as part of the FY 2024 budget. Even after these adjustments take effect, continued efforts will likely be needed to ensure that our state’s agencies are fully staffed with a trained, diverse, stable workforce that is ready to meet Georgia’s ever-shifting health needs.

Turnover Rates Among Health Agencies Near or Above State Average

Note: Agency-specific turnover rates unavailable for 2018.

Source: Georgia’s Department of Administrative Services’ Workforce Report for Fiscal Years 2016 – 2022.