February 17, 2009

Wisconsin Governor's Budget Proposal for the Department of Children and Families

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyles proposed 2009-2011 budget for the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) includes the possibility of rate changes for foster care, therapeutic foster care, group homes, and residential centers. The proposed changes for foster care include:

• Increase in uniform foster care rates of five percent for each year in the biennium, starting January 1, 2010; these payments are made to foster parents, treatment foster parents, and family-operated group homes to subsidize food, clothing, housing, personal care, and other expenses for children in foster care.

• Increase of 50% to the one-time clothing allowance; currently the clothing allowance starts at $150 for babies up to age four, and increases by $25 more children aged five through 11, and another $25 more for ages 12 to 14, to $200 for children aged 15 to 18.

• Establishment of a single licensing standard for foster care and treatment foster care, with multiple levels of care to reflect increasing licensing requirements.

• Using federal revenue generated by licensing Kinship Care providers in the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare to help fund out-of-home care.