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Committee restores reappropriation and adds $75,000 for Office of the Child Advocate
Summary
Members approved reappropriation of $117,852 for FY26 to cover a case management contract payment and added a $75,000 FY27 enhancement for rent and communications tied to an office move; Carrie Leonard testified the office currently occupies about 486 sq ft and has six of seven positions filled.
The Committee on Social Services Budget voted to restore a FY26 reappropriation of $117,852 for the Office of the Child Advocate and to add a FY27 enhancement of $75,000 to cover rent and communications tied to an anticipated move into larger quarters.
Agency representative Carrie Leonard told the committee the office’s case management contract was executed after the fiscal year began, creating a payment timing issue; she said roughly $44,000 of the reappropriation covers that contract payment. Leonard said the office currently occupies approximately 486 square feet, shares space with ombudsman programs and lacks adequate private offices; she reported six of seven positions are filled and said the proposed new space on the fourth floor would provide private offices and roughly 1,700–2,050 square feet.
Representative Reese moved to add back the FY26 reappropriation and to include the FY27 enhancement; Representative Ballard seconded. After members heard clarification from legislative staff on the governor’s yellow-sheet formatting and the agency’s written testimony, the motion passed by voice vote.
Next steps: staff will circulate the budget committee report highlighting the change. The Office of the Child Advocate is responsible for implementing the move and for reporting planned use of the enhancement funds through regular budget and appropriations processes.
