Louisiana Foster Parents Face Reimbursement Cuts Despite Higher Board Rates; Lawmakers Push DCFS to Reverse Policy
Foster parents in Louisiana have expressed frustration to state lawmakers regarding a reduction in financial support, despite a recent state budget increase intended to boost payments for children in state custody. The Louisiana Legislature had allocated an additional $17 million to the state budget to raise monthly per-child payments from approximately $600 to $900, effective July 1. However, at the beginning of the current month, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) ceased reimbursing families for incidental expenses, including school supplies, uniforms, child car seats, and other daily necessities. Additionally, mileage expenses for transporting foster children to appointments and school were no longer covered. DCFS Secretary Rebecca Harris stated that the intention behind the increased board rates was to consolidate all costs, including incidentals, into a single payment, thereby reducing the need for families to file numerous expense claims. This change came as a surprise to lawmakers... 
