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DHHS reports childcare fund under budget; aims to license 25 more foster homes
Summary
Jackson County DHHS told commissioners the childcare fund is under budget and staff are pushing to recruit 25 new licensed foster homes this year while working with partner agencies; the department reported roughly 55 licensed homes and about 170 youth in care.
Jackson County Department of Health and Human Services reported to the board that the county's childcare fund is under budget and that staff will continue monitoring expenditures. "There's no concerns related to the childcare fund. We are under budget, and we will continue to keep you posted," said Britney Talucki, a program manager filling in for the director.
Talucki outlined children's services priorities including foster-home licensing and recruitment. "Our goal is 25 homes this year," she said, and noted the department works with private agencies including Family Services, Children's Aid, Samaritas and Catholic Charities on recruitment. Department staff later estimated roughly 55 licensed foster homes in the county and about 170 youth currently in foster care; staff said they also work to license relatives and place children with family when possible.
Talucki described community outreach including a department 'lunch and learn' on assistance programs (Medicaid enrollment, SNAP reenrollment and time-limited food assistance) and said staff are coordinating with school-based assistance-payment personnel under a new 'teaming model' to intervene earlier in economic crises. Commissioners received the DHHS quarterly report by voice vote.
The report did not include an itemized funding breakdown for the childcare fund beyond the statement that it is under budget; the department offered to return with updates at future meetings.
