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To combat shortage, new state budget gives big boost to foster parents

Gov. Nathan Deal signed the fiscal 2018 state budget in Atlanta earlier this year. The budget includes an extra $19 million aimed at keeping more foster parents in the system.
Gov. Nathan Deal signed the fiscal 2018 state budget in Atlanta earlier this year. The budget includes an extra $19 million aimed at keeping more foster parents in the system.
By Kristina Torres
July 10, 2017

Georgia starting this month is funding the biggest increase in "per diems" for foster parents in more than a decade.

Why? The state has seen a surge of children needing foster care while at the same time facing a shortage in foster care homes.

The daily allowances, which help pay for kids' basic needs, are going up by as much as $10 a day, with additional money being put toward hiring more resource staff to help with foster families' day-to-day needs. All told, it amounts to an extra $19 million this year alone.

To see why the director of the state Division of Family and Children Services calls it "one of the most important things we've done for a long time," click here to read our premium story only on myAJC.com.

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