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Health and Welfare Committee hears $14 million supplemental for foster care, prevention staffing requests
Summary
The Idaho House Health and Welfare Committee reviewed a $14 million supplemental request to cover current-year foster care costs and considered budget requests to expand prevention teams and recruit foster families, as department leaders described a shift away from congregate placements toward foster and in‑home care.
At a meeting of the Idaho House Health and Welfare Committee, Department of Health and Welfare Director Alex Adams and Legislative Services budget analyst Alex Williamson described a $14 million fiscal‑year 2025 supplemental request to cover higher-than-anticipated foster care costs and outlined longer‑term budget proposals intended to reduce reliance on congregate care.
The supplemental, described by Alex Williamson as a “foster care population forecast adjustment of $14,000,000,” addresses current‑year cost overruns driven by rising mental‑health needs, substance use, and a shortage of community‑based placements, Williamson said. Director Alex Adams told the committee the supplemental is a response to legally required care costs when children enter state custody.
“Child welfare is an entitlement program. If a child is committed to…
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