JFAC approves major child-welfare FY2026 expansion: 63 FTEs and $21.2 million to boost prevention and licensing

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on March 14 approved a substantial FY2026 enhancement package for the Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Youth Safety and Permanency that adds 63 full-time equivalent positions and $21,245,700 all funds to expand prevention services, foster-care clinical supports, licensing staff and the Payette Assessment and Care Center (PAC) operations.

Representative Tanner moved the package and Senator Cook seconded. The motion as adopted adds 36 FTEs for a prevention specialist team, 9 FTEs for additional youth safety and permanency staff, 10 FTEs for foster-care program clinical staff (the governor recommended 10 of the 15 requested), 8 FTEs for foster licensing staff (the governor recommended 3), $2,774,500 for PAC operating costs, and $11,227,200 one-time for the population forecast adjustment. The committee’s motion totaled $13,774,600 General Fund and $7,471,100 federal funds.

Committee members debated scope and risk. Several legislators said the package is an investment aimed at shifting youth from high-cost congregate care toward prevention and in‑home services (noting prevention costs cited earlier such as ~$1.80/day versus congregate care ~$380/day). The co-chair described the package as an investment the committee will monitor, and tied eight of the licensing positions to a performance measure: achieving a 1:1 ratio of foster families to foster children by Jan. 1, 2026, with preliminary reporting expected in September.

The roll call showed Senate 9 ayes, 1 nay; House 9 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent, for a combined 18 ayes, 1 nay, 1 absent. The motion carries a due-pass recommendation.