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Child-services officials tell budget committee caseloads and costs are up; staff say children have slept in offices
Summary
Department of Child Services officials told the Budget Committee that higher utilization and costs drove a budget shortfall and confirmed placement shortages have led to children sleeping in DCS offices.
Department of Child Services officials told the State Budget Committee that the agency’s budget shortfall stems from higher costs and an increased level of need.
Presenters Jasmine Williams and Sarah Sailors attributed the budget pressure to higher costs “across the board” and to a utilization factor that is increasing caseloads, rather than to management or efficiency alone. Senator Ryan Mishler asked why earlier efficiency measures had not reduced cases; Ms. Sailors said demand and need have risen despite those efforts.
Representative Ed DeLaney asked how the state’s abuse call rate compares with other states; Ms. Williams said DCS takes a higher number of calls. Representative Gregory Porter asked whether children were sleeping in DCS offices; Ms. Sailors confirmed that placement shortages had, at times, led to children sleeping in office facilities.
DCS presenters asked the committee for assistance addressing workforce turnover, suggesting partnerships with schools of social work to build a stronger pipeline of child-welfare professionals. No formal budget action was taken at the hearing; DCS requested further engagement with the committee on staffing and placement needs.
