DCFS asks for $18M modernization, $10/day foster board increase to address placements and staffing

Senate Fiscal presented the Department of Children and Family Services budget and described structural changes under Acts 477 and 478 that moved adult‑centered programs to LDH and Louisiana Works, leaving DCFS focused on child welfare and child support.

DCFS leaders told the committee foster care placements and costs are rising, with the department reporting about a 30% increase in children in care over the period referenced and noting that historically generous federal 4E grant rules require up‑front eligibility documentation that affects the state's share of costs. The department said Louisiana currently has roughly 48 foster homes for every 100 children in care and that limited family‑like placements have forced some children into congregate care settings.

Undersecretary Christopher Baum and DCFS leadership asked for an $18 million year‑one modernization investment to replace legacy case‑handling systems (CCWIS modernization, SABRE digitization and a foster payment tracking system) and argued the investment will equip frontline staff with integrated tools to make timelier decisions. Baum said the modernization request is year‑one funding and that ongoing maintenance costs should decline after implementation.

DCFS officials also proposed increasing foster board rates by $10 per day. The department reported current board rates of $19.47 per day (about $600 a month) and said the $10 per day increase — to roughly $900 per month on average depending on case specifics — is built into the executive budget proposal and is intended to expand recruitment and retention of foster families and reduce out‑of‑parish placements.

Committee members pressed DCFS on staffing and vacancies. Department leaders said the agency has roughly 190 current vacancies (an 8.6% vacancy rate) and requested adding 30 investigators and nine supervisors to expand second‑shift coverage, plus vehicles and operational support so investigators can reach families promptly. Officials described stakeholder engagement, sandbox demos of proposed technology solutions and benchmarking against peer states to inform rate setting and operational reforms.

Members expressed support for streamlining foster‑care caregiver application processes and asked DCFS to supply comparative rates and additional data on vacancy trends and turnover. The committee did not take a vote in the session; staff asked DCFS for follow‑up numbers and demonstration materials for the modernization project.