DHW asks JFAC for staff and one-time funds to expand prevention, recruit foster parents to cut costly congregate care

At a Feb. 20 Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee hearing, Department of Health and Welfare Director Alex Adams and Legislative Services analyst Alex Williamson outlined a multi-part request to expand prevention services and increase foster-placement capacity to reduce use of high-cost congregate care.

The department asked the committee to authorize dozens of new full-time positions, one-time operating funds and a fiscal-year supplemental of $14.1 million for foster care population forecast adjustments. Director Alex Adams said the department’s strategy is to reverse current placement patterns by putting "the right kid, right place, right time," increasing prevention work in homes and recruiting more foster families.

Why it matters: Adams told the committee that the cost and outcomes for children vary dramatically by placement: "If I keep a kid in their home, in a prevention case, it's a dollar 80 a day. If a child is removed from their home and placed in foster care, it's $16 a day. If I don't have a foster bed available to them, congregate care is $380 a day." The department said rising mental-health needs, substance use and a shortage of foster parents have driven greater use of specialized, expensive placements.

What was requested: Alex Williamson, budget and policy…