DCFS describes Pulaski County foster‑care crisis, asks for targeted hires and consultants

Director Misha Martin told the Senate Children and Youth Committee that one county — Pulaski — is driving a substantial portion of the state's foster‑care pressure and requires targeted intervention.

"We have seen an 88% increase in foster care since November of 2019," Martin said when describing the Pulaski crisis and its statewide spillover. She told members that Pulaski had 364 children in foster care in November 2019 and roughly 708 as of the most recent weekly count.

To address the crisis, Martin said DCFS asked for 72 new positions earmarked for Pulaski in the current authorization and is reassigning resources to implement a teaming approach. She said the agency has brought central office staff to assist with transports and supervised visits, but emphasized the need for additional hires and rapid onboarding to stabilize caseloads.

Martin also said the department contracted outside experts — described as a former national Children's Bureau commissioner and other consultants — to lead a systems transformation process in Pulaski County and meet with local stakeholders.

Committee members pressed for details about how many positions are currently vacant in Pulaski (26 as of the prior week) and how many additional hires were needed to implement the plan; Martin said the initial 72 positions are focused on Pulaski, with additional position requests planned across three years. The committee requested more detailed staffing and timeline information in follow up.