This episode discusses the child welfare workforce - what it is like to work in the system with families in crisis while managing and juggling competing priorities and decisions. Listen to Dr. Dina Wilke, a child welfare workforce researcher and Timothy Morris, a child protective investigator, discuss the “impossible imperative”. They speak frankly about caseload severity, challenges in decision making, and distinguishing between present danger and impending danger. Some suggestions for self-care are also offered.