Georgia Governor Proposes $66 Million In New Spending For Child Welfare In 2018

The Governor’s budget proposal for the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), Department of Human Services (DHS), includes an increase of $66 million in new funding for fiscal year 2018. The funding would be used to increase foster care maintenance payments and increase salaries for child welfare workers. The funds will also be used to hire more DFCS employees. The $66 million represents a 10% increase to the total $642 million DHS budget.

According to the Georgia DHS “Adjusted FY17 & FY18 Joint Appropriations Budget Hearing Presentation” in January 2017, the increase is needed to account for . . .