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.

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.