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DCF tells Senate appropriators transportation contracts are driving up costs to move children to appointments and placements
Summary
Department for Children and Families staff told the Senate Appropriations Committee that transportation contracts for children in or at risk of DCF custody have risen substantially, straining the FSC transportation budget and prompting requests to right‑size the appropriation.
Department for Children and Families officials told the Senate Appropriations Committee on March 14 that transportation contracts to move children — for medical appointments, school, court‑ordered contacts and prevention efforts — have come in ‘‘substantially over budget,’’ creating persistent budget pressure in the Family Services Division (FSC).
Megan Smeaton, DCF director of the business office, described the problem during the line‑by‑line review: "FSC's transportation contracts have come in substantially over budget in the past few years, and this has really created a budget deficit pressure for FSC." Agency staff said the services include transportation for children in custody and prevention‑oriented transportation for families being served before or during reunification efforts.
Committee members pressed staff on who provides the transportation, how costs are controlled and whether providers overlap with other state transportation programs. Agency staff said the state uses a mix of arrangements: family services staff sometimes drive using fleet or personal vehicles (with mileage reimbursement), temporary case aides provide transports, and DCF maintains approximately a dozen transportation contracts. Named vendors or partners referenced in the hearing included Easterseals, local sheriffs' offices and a private vendor identified as YTA. Officials also said volunteer drivers are used in some cases and that different vehicle types and specialized transport arrangements are needed depending on the child’s needs.
Senators asked whether the same vendors serve Medicaid or other state transportation contracts; agency staff said some services are funded through Medicaid but acknowledged they would follow up with specifics. DCF said the pools of potential vendors are small in many areas, limiting competitive pressure and raising costs for after‑hours and crisis transports.
Committee members asked DCF to return with more details about vehicle types, vendor overlap with Medicaid‑funded transports and options to coordinate with other state or regional transportation efforts.
