Administrative Costs Rise Per Child As Title IV-E Foster Care Caseloads Decline

Administrative costs for pre-placement and in-placement activities accounted for the largest share of Title IV-E foster care claims from fiscal year (FY) 2019 through FY 2023, according to an analysis by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.

During this period, total Title IV-E foster care claims ranged from nearly $10 billion to nearly $11 billion annually, with the federal share ranging between approximately $5 billion and $6 billion.

Although the average monthly number of children in foster care declined each year, average monthly administrative costs per child . . .