ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s child welfare system spiraled into crisis as the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services faced a whopping $85.7 million projected shortfall.
With Candice Broce, commissioner of the Department of Human Services and director of the child welfare agency it oversees, taking a number of cost-saving measures in November, it’s meant fewer visits between children and parents needed for family reunification, less time for aides to spend helping foster parents care for children with complex needs, and juvenile court dates needing to be postponed when children have no transportation to get there.
“I’m just stuck. I’m stressed out. Emotionally, I’m exhausted,” said Pamela Bruce, who said her foster son “can’t grow in survival mode” and is also terrified she’ll surrender him back to the state as services dwindle.
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