Children's Services seeks millions to cover high‑acuity placements as overall custody declines Department of Children's Services told the Senate Finance Committee that while the total number of children in custody has fallen, the state faces growing demand for high‑acuity residential placements and is requesting increased funding for residential custodial care and expanded private provider case management.

Tennessee's Department of Children's Services is asking for nearly $72 million to tackle the urgent need for high-acuity residential care, even as the overall number of kids in custody declines.

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#TN #CitizenPortal #TennesseeChildrenServices #ChildWelfare #FosterCareReform

Committee advances bill to create work group on aging out of foster care A committee advanced and passed House Bill 915, which creates a work group on aging out of foster care to be staffed by the Citizens Review Board for Children, requires stipends for youth with lived experience, adds two members and calls for a report by June 1, 2027.

Maryland's House Bill 915 has just passed, paving the way for a dedicated work group to support young people aging out of foster care, complete with stipends for those with lived experience!

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#MD #CivicParticipation #CitizenPortal #YouthEmpowerment #FosterCareReform

Senate HHS advances bill to strengthen kinship foster care; DCS flags reporting timing concern HB 2035, which would presume extended family members be considered for kinship foster placement and require written findings when kinship is denied, received a due‑pass recommendation after proponents described benefits for children and Department of Child Safety staff said one implementation provision may create timing conflicts with protective hearings.

Arizona's Senate is taking a bold step to strengthen kinship foster care by recognizing extended family members as vital placements for children's well-being.

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#AZ #CitizenPortal #ChildWelfare #FosterCareReform #FamilyFirstPolicy #ArizonaKinshipCare

Committee advances bill to protect certain federal benefits for children in state care The House Families and Children Committee advanced HB 669, which would require the cabinet to search for and preserve federal benefits due to children in out‑of‑home care, deposit those funds in accounts for the child and allow milestone‑based partial access; the measure passed committee 15‑0.

A groundbreaking bill just passed in Kentucky, ensuring that federal benefits meant for children in state care are protected and accessible for their future milestones!

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#KY #CitizenPortal #MilestoneAccess #ChildBenefits #FosterCareReform

House adopts bill clarifying fiduciary duties and returning social-security benefits to youth in extended foster care The House passed Substitute Senate Bill 59-11, with an amendment clarifying that the Department of Children, Youth, and Families retains fiduciary responsibility when contracting representative-payee services. Sponsors said the bill would return social-security benefits to eligible youth in extended foster care; final passage was 93-2 (3 excused).

The House just passed a pivotal bill to restore Social Security benefits to youth in extended foster care and ensure accountability for their financial protection!

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#WA #CitizenPortal #YouthEmpowerment #FosterCareReform #FinancialProtection

Advocates tell West Virginia committee staffing shortfalls and foster-rate stagnation hurt children; community-based care proposed Providers and an attorney told the Judiciary Committee that staffing shortages, stagnant foster-care reimbursements and lost treatment beds are driving placements out of state and into hotels; witnesses proposed stabilizing rates and piloting community-based care with outcome-based contracts.

West Virginia's child-welfare system is in crisis, with children sleeping in hotels and hundreds placed out of state due to staffing shortages and stagnant foster-care rates.

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#WV #CitizenPortal #FosterCareReform #ChildSafetyInvestment #CommunityBasedCare

OCS tells Senate panel workforce shortages, pay and burnout block full implementation of HB 151 reforms OCS Director Kim Guay and Acting Commissioner Tracy Dompling told the Senate Health and Social Services Committee on March 3 that workforce shortages, low pay and on-call demands are the principal barriers to completing reforms required by 2018House Bill 151; the agency laid out recruitment, training and retention steps and urged legislative attention to pay and retirement benefits.

Alaska's Office of Children's Services reveals that workforce shortages and low pay are crippling vital foster-care reforms, sparking urgent calls for legislative action.

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#AK #CitizenPortal #LegislativeAction #FosterCareReform #AlaskaChildren #WorkforceDevelopment

Advocates Urge Study of DCF Practices and Expanded Post‑Secondary Supports for Youth in Care Witnesses supported SB264 directing a study of Department of Children and Families policies and HB 5,270 to extend post‑secondary tuition supports for youth formerly in DCF care, recommending independent oversight, lived‑experience participation and expanded supports beyond tuition.

Advocates are pushing for vital reforms in Connecticut's foster care system to ensure youth aging out receive the support they truly need for a successful future.

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#CT #CitizenPortal #YouthSupport #FosterCareReform #EducationAccess

Committee hears DCYF licensing bill; lawmakers raise jurisdictional concerns over childcare provisions Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2253 would make technical changes to DCYF licensing for foster care, kinship caregivers, crisis residential centers and childcare; supporters said the changes align WAC and RCW and clarify CRC staffing ratios, while senators asked whether childcare items belong in this committee.

Washington's Senate is debating crucial changes to foster care licensing that could impact thousands of caregivers and children—are the proposed updates enough to address pressing concerns?

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#WA #CitizenPortal #ChildcareLicensing #FosterCareReform #CrisisResidentialCenters

Radical Life urges sales-tax exemption, says program shortens foster-care stays Director Lindsay Smith and program alumni told the tax committee House Bill 24-75 would help Radical Life Inc. cover growing operating costs; proponents asserted the program reduces foster-care duration and saves the state money, while the Department of Revenue presented a small fiscal estimate (~$4,600 in FY2027).

Radical Life Inc. is advocating for a sales-tax exemption to help reduce foster-care placements and save the state thousands, claiming their program reunites families in just 15 weeks.

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#KS #CitizenPortal #KansasNonprofits #FosterCareReform #TaxRelief #FamilySupport

Panel advances bill to speed permanency for children under 2 with technical fixes and delayed effective date HB 2734, intended to accelerate permanency for children under age 2, was amended for statutory alignment and implementation time; the committee adopted clarifying changes and reported the bill favorably as amended.

A pivotal bill aimed at ensuring timely permanency for vulnerable infants and toddlers has advanced, promising a brighter future for the youngest in state custody.

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#KS #CitizenPortal #EarlyChildhoodSupport #FosterCareReform #KansasChildWelfare #ChildPermanency

House subcommittee reports seven children- and family-focused bills favorably; roll-call outcomes summarized The Human Services Subcommittee advanced seven bills (HB 373, HB 411, HB 395, HB 923, HB 475, HB 529, HB 1267) by recorded votes on a single agenda day; outcomes and brief descriptions are summarized, including vote tallies and sponsors.

The House Human Services Subcommittee just advanced seven crucial bills aimed at improving the welfare of children and families in Florida!

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#FL #ChildAbusePrevention #CitizenPortal #FosterCareReform #HumanTraffickingSupport

Child Advocate reports 60% rise in complaints, urges changes to foster-care oversight At a Public Health and Welfare committee briefing, Carrie Leonard of the Office of Child Advocates reported a 60% rise in formal complaints in 2025 and urged changes including improved DCF oversight, expanded respite access for foster youth, and standardized workforce training.

A staggering 60% increase in formal complaints about child welfare has sparked urgent calls for reform in Kansas' foster-care system.

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#KS #KansasChildWelfare #WorkforceDevelopment #FosterCareReform #CitizenPortal #ChildSafety

Residents and advocates urge Person County review of foster-care practices after fatality and alleged mistreatment Two public commenters urged Person County commissioners to investigate alleged mistreatment in the county foster-care system, alleged missing funds for a former ward, and urged release of overdue records; an advocate cited the May 24, 2025 death of Kimari Morgan in an unlicensed foster home.

Public outcry intensifies as survivors and advocates demand accountability from Person County's child-welfare system following tragic allegations of abuse and a child's death in foster care.

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#PersonCounty #NC #FosterCareReform #ChildProtection #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability

Washington committee hears competing views on bill to define ‘imminent physical harm’ in child-welfare cases Supporters including foster and kinship caregivers say HB 2511 would let caseworkers and courts act earlier to prevent fatalities; legal advocates and defenders warn the definition could conflict with existing law and expand removals without funding for services. DCYF says courts apply the current standard inconsistently and offers to work with the sponsor on refinements.

A new bill aimed at defining "imminent physical harm" in child-welfare cases is stirring debate, with supporters pushing for urgent action to protect vulnerable children while opponents warn of potential legal pitfalls.

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#WA #LegalStability #FosterCareReform #ChildProtection

Speakers at Person County meeting allege abuse and seek answers about child deaths in county custody Two members of the public used the meeting's comment period to make extensive allegations against Person County social services, including personal accounts of alleged abuse while in county custody and an allegation that a child named Kimari died while in foster care; speakers called for records, accountability and staff review.

Emotional testimonies at the Person County Board meeting reveal shocking allegations of abuse and neglect within the child welfare system, sparking urgent calls for accountability and justice.

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#PersonCounty #NC #AccountabilityInGovernment #ChildWelfare #FosterCareReform

Burke County DSS reports steady Medicaid rolls, rising foster-care entries and early issues after Healthy Blue rollout Burke County Department of Social Services told commissioners it has 13 job openings (about a 7.5% vacancy rate), serves roughly 28,000 Medicaid recipients, and reported 190 children in foster care with 125 entries and 102 exits for the fiscal year to date; staff said the new statewide foster-care contractor, Healthy Blue, has experienced early 'growing pains.'

Burke County's Department of Social Services faces challenges with a new foster-care Medicaid contractor while grappling with rising entries into foster care and staffing shortages.

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#BurkeCounty #NC #ChildProtection #MedicaidManagement #FosterCareReform #CitizenPortal

DCS legislative overview: new public chapters target child safety, records and services; budget adds funds for foster care and Safe Baby Courts Hayes O'Donnell of the Department of Children's Services summarized multiple 2025 public chapters affecting child safety, juvenile records, foster care extensions and adoption records, and highlighted budget increases allocated to DCS programs including Safe Baby Courts and provider rate increases.

Tennessee is making groundbreaking changes to child welfare laws, redefining abuse, and increasing funding for vital support programs!

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#TN #CitizenPortal #ChildWelfare #FosterCareReform #JuvenileJustice #TennesseeChildren

Foster care should mean safety, not more trauma. 💔 Too many children are lost in a system meant to protect them.

If the system keeps failing, who’s protecting the kids who have no one else?

#SpitYourTruth #FosterCareReform #ProtectChildren #EndAbuse #SystemicFailure #JusticeForKids #TruthAndChange

Panel reviews DCFS annual case audits, fatality reviews and systemic recommendations The Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel heard the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Service Review present annual case process and Child and Family Services reviews and a DHHS fatality review executive summary. Presenters flagged strengths on monthly visits and kinship efforts, and identified gaps in placement information, 45

The Child Welfare Oversight Panel's latest review reveals significant strengths in child welfare practices, yet alarming gaps in critical information that could impact the safety of vulnerable children.

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#UT #CitizenPortal #ChildSafety #FosterCareReform #FamilyEngagement

Local leaders push for juvenile-justice bill to separate criminogenic youth from foster care Commissioner Jim Howell outlined House Bill 2329, a proposal to separate youth charged with serious offenses from the foster-care population and to create group-home capacity for that cohort. Howell said the change responds to an increase in youth firearm possession and to earlier changes from Senate Bill 367 that reduced capacity.

Sedgwick County leaders are rallying behind House Bill 2329 to separate youth involved in criminal activity from those in foster care, addressing a critical rise in juvenile firearm possession.

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#SedgwickCounty #KS #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #FosterCareReform

Foster Youth Advocates Demand Food Assistance Reform at Michigan Hearing Michigan lawmakers hear urgent calls for essential food assistance improvements for foster youth

Michigan lawmakers are prioritizing child welfare, demanding better training for CPS workers to ensure children’s needs come first in a system often distracted by adult disputes.

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#MI #YouthEmpowerment #CitizenPortal #FosterCareReform #ChildProtection

House Oversight Subcommittee Examines Child Welfare System with Neighborhood Service Organization Testimony Subcommittee hears critical testimony on foster care reform from advocates and organizations.

Michigan's foster care system is under the spotlight as advocates push for urgent reforms to protect vulnerable children, revealing that a staggering 92% of Michiganders support change.

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#MI #CitizenPortal #CommunitySupport #FosterCareReform #ChildAbusePrevention

Kathy Deserly advocates for cultural connections in native child welfare services Deserly emphasizes importance of maintaining cultural ties for Native children in foster care

Montana officials are urgently calling for better support for Native American families in the foster care system to ensure children maintain vital cultural connections.

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#MT #CitizenPortal #IndianChildWelfare #MontanaNativeChildren #FosterCareReform #CulturalConnections

Senator Kalbell Introduces Foster Children Bill of Rights Amid Growing Crisis Senators support legislation emphasizing rights for foster children and clarity for foster parents.

A groundbreaking Foster Children's Bill of Rights is making waves in Guam as lawmakers unite to ensure safety, dignity, and respect for the most vulnerable among us.

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#US #CitizenPortal #CommunitySupport #FosterCareReform #ChildrensRights #GuamFosterCare

Child Welfare Advocates Call for Reform After Frustrating CPS Cases in Mississippi Advocates express concerns over CPS procedures hindering child placement and support in Mississippi.

A grandmother's heart-wrenching struggle to care for her four grandchildren after their parents' incarceration reveals the urgent need for reform in Mississippi's foster care system.

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#HarrisonCounty #MS #CitizenPortal #CommunitySupport #FosterCareReform #ChildProtection

Law mandates transition planning for youth aging out of foster care Legislation ensures youth collaborate on comprehensive transition plans to adulthood

Massachusetts is paving the way for a brighter future by mandating that youth aging out of foster care actively participate in their transition plans to adulthood.

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#MA #YouthEmpowerment #CitizenPortal #FosterCareReform #LifeSkillsDevelopment

Burke County launches disaster debris removal and welcomes new emergency management team Burke County details June debris removal efforts and introduces new emergency manager and opioid coordinator.

Burke County is ramping up its disaster recovery efforts with a new emergency manager and a critical debris removal initiative set for June—are you ready to get involved?

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#BurkeCounty #NC #CitizenPortal #DisasterRecovery #CommunitySupport #FosterCareReform

Lieutenant Governor discusses positive impact of kinship care over foster care Lieutenant Governor emphasizes kinship care's superior results compared to traditional foster care

Texas Senate Committee reveals surprising insights on kinship care's potential to transform child welfare—could this be the future of fostering?

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#TX #CitizenPortal #FosterCareReform #KinshipCare #TexasChildWelfare #ChildProtection