The current degree/experience requirement for Family Services Occupational Group is much too restrictive.  The requirement of having a four year degree from an accredited college is certainly reasonable, but restricting the type of degree and/or experience to "human services related" has severely limited our ability to recruit qualified individuals to fill our staffing needs.  When a local Department of Social Services (LDSS) agency cannot offer an interview to a teacher, law enforcement officer, or even a LDSS employee who works in Benefit Programs because they have the wrong degree and their experience isn't considered "human services", but we can offer an interview to person who just graduated college with a degree in a "human services" field with no applicable experience, there is something wrong.  

I would recommend that the Department leave the requirement for a four year degree in place, but remove the limits on the type of degree and definitely remove the human services experience requirement. This will help the LDSS agencies in recruitment and hopefully help alleviate turnover. 

Thank you.