Bill > S1208

This bill appropriates additional funds to the Department of Health and Welfare for youth safety and permanency programs for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, totaling over $35 million. * **Division of Youth Safety and Permanency (Fiscal Year 2026):** $9,518,500 is appropriated for general operations and personnel costs. This includes $3,009,200 from the Cooperative Welfare (General) Fund and $2,753,000 from the Cooperative Welfare (Federal) Fund for trustee and benefit costs, $3,098,600 from the Cooperative Welfare (General) Fund and $548,600 from the Cooperative Welfare (Federal) Fund for personnel expenditures, and $56,900 from the Cooperative Welfare (General) Fund and $52,200 from the Cooperative Welfare (Federal) Fund for operating outlay. * **Foster and Assistance Payments Program (Fiscal Year 2026):** $11,727,200 is appropriated for trustee and benefit payments. This includes $7,609,900 from the Cooperative Welfare (General) Fund and $4,117,300 from the Cooperative Welfare (Federal) Fund. * **Foster and Assistance Payments Program (Fiscal Year 2025):** $14,126,900 is appropriated for trustee and benefit payments. This includes $8,868,200 from the Cooperative Welfare (General) Fund and $5,258,700 from the Cooperative Welfare (Federal) Fund. * **Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Positions:** An increase of 63 FTE positions is authorized for the Division of Youth Safety and Permanency for fiscal year 2026. * **Foster Program Licensing Staff:** $663,000 and 8 FTE positions are specifically tied to achieving a one-to-one ratio of foster families to foster children by January 1, 2026. Failure to meet this goal may result in the removal of funding and positions. * **Transfer Limitation Exemption:** The Division of Youth Safety and Permanency is exempt from certain transfer limitations for personnel costs and trustee and benefit payments for both fiscal years 2025 and 2026. * **Federal Funding Restrictions:** The bill includes provisions to prevent state funds from supplanting federal funds if federal support is reduced or eliminated, requiring the agency to take actions to avoid state obligation to replace lost federal funds.