The report discusses activities of a first-year project to identify and solve personnel problems in the Family Services Division of the Missouri Department of Social Services. A specific objective of the project was to develop career ladders within Missouri's state government agencies which would increase job satisfaction and worker productivity. The document is presented in seven chapters. Chapter I introduces the project and discusses organizational problems identified in a 1976 survey of 1200 Family Services Division caseworkers and supervisors. Chapter II provides an overview of the most frequently mentioned problems, including organizational sprawl, interpersonal problems, and low salaries. Chapter III compares problems identified by Division personnel with problems identified in a national survey of personnel in social services agencies conducted by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1975. Chapters IV and V analyze results of the survey in terms of 13 dimensions, including job pressure, role overload, alienations, job motivation, power, and communications. Chapter VI presents responses offered to open-ended questions dealing with improving work situations, quality of services, improving effectiveness, and making social service jobs easier. The final chapter offers suggestions for the second phase of the project. (DB)