Dauphin County Offers Recruitment and Retention Bonuses to Children and Youth Workers

Dauphin County has obtained funding that will provide financial bonuses to Children & Youth Services staff.

The incentive comes at a time when Dauphin County is working to recruit and retain employees for positions that provide essential services.

“There are challenges everywhere in finding and keeping employees for these vital positions,” Dauphin County Commissioner George P. Hartwick, III said.

Dauphin County submitted a request for bonuses to the Office of Children Youth and Families, which is under the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

The funds will allow Dauphin County to offer:

- A $5,000 retention bonus to current employees who have worked for the county at least one year.

-  A $4,000 recruitment bonus to new hires, to be paid after one year of service.

Current Children and Youth Services staff will receive the bonus by March.

The new hire bonus will be paid until the new hire reaches the end of two years of employment.

“These essential services are changing lives, so we need to do all we can to recognize our staff,” County Commissioner Chair Mike Pries said.

County Commissioner Chad Saylor said: “This work takes a real commitment to helping people on their most difficult days.”

Children and Youth Services are 24-hour emergency response services dedicated to the safety and well-being of children and families. Staff provide effective family engagement, community outreach, and best practices for prevention and intervention when necessary. 

 MEDIA CONTACT: Brett Hambright, Press Secretary, 717-780-6311; bhambright@dauphinc.org.