Changes in the service delivery model and home visitors' job satisfaction and turnover in an Early Head Start program

Study of the processes through which interventions achieve the intended outcomes is as important as the study of the intervention outcomes themselves. In this article, the process of implementing an Early Head Start program is described and related to changes in the home visitors' job satisfaction and turnover. Initially, the biggest challenge for the implementing agency was maintaining undisrupted service delivery whereas the new administration team, when hired, confronted the task of rejuvenating the program. This led to an overall restructuring of the home-based model of service delivery. Results show that, as predicted, home visitors were least satisfied with their roles, work atmosphere, and job conditions during the program make-over phase. The staff turnover rate was the highest in the program's history during this period (39%). However, these trends were reversed as the program stabilized due to the changes. These results are presented and discussed in light of the program implementation issues and changes to the service delivery model.