Public child welfare workers' perception of efficacy relative to multicultural awareness, knowledge and skills

•We examine workers' perception of multicultural awareness, knowledge and skills.•We discuss the need for preparation in multicultural counseling.•A demographically diverse society requires a multicultural framework for practice.•Implications for future training and education are provided.

Maintaining a well trained pool of workers in public child welfare agencies continues to be an ongoing problem. Research suggests that it is critical that we continue to explore the factors associated with worker efficacy. Existing research has found that outcomes for families and children are affected by numerous individual and organizational characteristics including worker's perceived efficacy (Advancement of Social Work Research, 2005; Bernotavicz, 2007; Collier, 2007; Ellett, 2007; Government Accountability Office, 2003; Milner, 2003). This study describes public child welfare workers, and their perceptions of efficacy relative to multicultural awareness, knowledge and skills. Study outcomes have implications for worker training, supervision, and curriculum on child welfare.