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Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8532-7801
Date Available
6-10-2028
Year of Publication
2026
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
College
Social Work
Department/School/Program
Social Work
Faculty
Laura Escobar-Ratliff
Abstract
In 2020, following several high-profile shootings of Black people, the United States was forced to reconcile its racist past resulting in protests and civil unrest. The COVID-19 pandemic also highlighted health disparities across racial lines, further highlighting the impact of race within society. Black social workers were tasked with providing support as essential workers, while navigating the impacts of the increase racial divide within the United States, contributing to rising burnout rates. The development of burnout among Black social workers affects the delivery of services to and care of the community. Therefore, attention is necessary to determine what role race plays in the experience of burnout and to identify a system level intervention that addresses the personal and work-related contributors of its development.
The current literature available from 2020 to 2025 was reviewed through the systematic literature review to explore these two aspects. For the 11 articles that met eligibility, there was evidence that confirms the contribution of race and discrimination on Black social workers burnout rates. Additionally, the literature highlights the lack of organizational interventions available to support Black social workers in preventing this. Recommendations across all literature point to the need for an intervention that includes open dialogue, diversity training, mentoring, special support groups, and independent audits of policies and procedures.
Utilizing these findings, the conceptual paper explores the use of Critical Race Theory, Human Relations Theory of Management, and trauma-informed care to develop a new framework called SMART CARE. SMART CARE focuses on key areas to combat burnout: stress management, mindful decision making, adaptive work flexibility, robust social support, trusted supervision, cultural competency, accountability, resilience through trauma-informed care, and empathy building in leadership. Through this conceptual framework, societal issues of race, class, equity, and employee relationships are explored as well as their intersection with organizational health and productivity.
To operationalize this developing framework, the practical application paper introduces SMART CARE training. Leaders are the target audience to increase managerial skills that work to promote equity, increase belonging, and improve company culture to reduce burnout rates. This is a cohort-based training program that spans the course of several modules including assessment and gathering data, education and development, planning and implementation, reflections and revisions, and ongoing improvements and sustainability. The goal of this training is to amplify the voice of the employees, identify key focus areas of change, and embed empathy, equity, and trauma-informed care into leadership.
Collectively, these three products offer insight into the intersection of race and burnout, encouraging administrators to invest in wellness initiatives that support their employees and the sustainability of their companies. This organizational level intervention addresses the current gap in burnout prevention initiatives within the social work profession, and contributes to the longevity of the field, reducing turnover rates and increasing retention of Black social workers.
Recommended Citation
Wiltshire, Candida, "Empowering Black Social Workers Through Organizational Burnout-Reduction Initiatives" (2026). DSW Capstone Projects. 76.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/csw_grad_reports/76
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Race and Ethnicity Commons, Social Justice Commons, Social Work Commons, Work, Economy and Organizations Commons
