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Board approves sharp increases to foster-care per diems for Bethany Christian Services
Summary
Cumberland County commissioners approved higher per-diem rates for Bethany Christian Services of Central Pennsylvania, allowing the provider to raise rates up to the state maximum to cover rising operating costs; commissioners noted most of the funding is state-provided.
Cumberland County commissioners on the regular agenda approved rate increases for Bethany Christian Services of Central Pennsylvania, which provides foster-care services under contract to the county.
Jamie Reiber, a Children and Youth presenter for Cumberland County, told commissioners the agency had contracted with Bethany Christian Services and that the provider had requested increases up to the state maximum allowable per diem. “They are increasing due to their operation cost, increased salaries, benefits, things like that, food, shelter, for the clients,” Reiber said. She said the per diem paid directly to foster parents also rose to reflect everyday care costs.
Why it matters: Reiber said many providers historically billed below the state maximum and that for fiscal 2024–25 several providers asked to move to the state maximum. Commissioners noted the county share of the cost is limited compared with state funding: about 80% is paid by the state and about 20% by the county, as discussed at the meeting.
Commissioners and staff discussed the scale of some increases. Reiber said some individual per-diem lines reflected large percentage increases — “like I said, I know there was, like, a 200%, 300% increase on some of these, but they were very, very low per diem rates prior to that” — and she described the changes as an attempt to align rates with current operating costs and the state ceiling.
Formal action: A motion to approve the rate increases was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote. No individual roll-call votes were recorded in the transcript; commissioners answered “Aye” to indicate approval.
What the approval does and does not do: The board approved the contract rate changes as presented; Reiber said the increases brought rates to the state maximum allowable but did not supply individual new per-diem dollar amounts in the public remarks. Funding for the increases was described during the meeting as primarily state-funded (approximately 80%) with a county match of roughly 20%. The transcript did not specify exact effective dates for the new rates.
Looking ahead: Reiber said she expects other contracted providers to request similar increases tied to state maximums and operating-cost pressures. The board did not add conditions or direct additional follow-up in the public discussion as recorded.
