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Lawmakers press DCS on kinship program capacity as nearly 1,000 remain on waiting list
Summary
DCS told senators the relative caregiver (kinship) program is at a $32 million max liability, serves over 4,200 unique children and has about 998 children on the waiting list; leaders said the contract is being rebid and that reallocation could shift more funds to families if bids secure better terms.
Members of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee examined the relative caregiver program’s capacity and contracting after committee members cited audit findings about dollars flowing to administrative providers.
Commissioner Marjie Quinn said the relative caregiver program is at a $32,000,000 maximum liability, has served more than 4,200 unique children, and currently has about 998 children on a waiting list. "We are at max liability at $32,000,000 on the relative caregiver program... Right now, I think there's currently a 998 kid waiting list," she said.
Committee members pressed whether a significant share of program dollars goes to provider organizations rather than to caregivers; DCS said the program is being rebid through the central procurement office (CPO) and officials hope the rebid will deliver more direct family support. DCS staff cautioned that if bids do not attract providers, the program cannot run and those funds cannot be delivered.
Senators asked the department to explore ways to shift more dollars to families and reduce administrative overhead during the rebid process. The committee did not take final action on program funding but referred the broader budget package to Finance for further review.
