New Department of Children, Youth and Families begins operations with $3.7 billion budget; childcare licensing and in‑home daycare concerns raised

The Department of Children, Youth and Families, launched July 1 after 2023 legislation reorganized several programs, is operating in transition and expects roughly $3.7 billion in annual expenditures when fully transitioned, department leaders told the Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee on Jan. 23.

Jennifer Summerfield, government relations director for DCYF, said the new agency’s stated vision is to center children in state government and to improve “front‑door” access for families. The department currently has about 550 employees working under the new structure and expects additional transfers and staff through summer 2025 as remaining programs move from the Department of Human Services, the Department of Education and the Department of Public Safety.

Ashley Reisenauer, DCYF chief financial officer, gave a budget overview and said the agency projects roughly $3.7 billion in annual expenditures…