Georgia’s foster care system faces funding crisis, advocates warn children at risk

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Georgia’s foster care system is under severe strain, and advocates warn children could be left without critical support if immediate action isn’t taken.

The state’s Division of Family and Children Services, or DFCS, is responsible for protecting abused and neglected children, placing them safely with relatives or foster families, and helping families stay together.

However, a projected $85 million budget shortfall is already forcing cuts to essential services.

John DeGarmo, who has fostered more than 60 children over 15 years and now works with foster families across Georgia, said private providers who support foster children are being forced to scale back services like transportation, mental health care and in-home support.

“These aren’t goods and services. These are children in crisis at this very moment,” DeGarmo said. “The longer we wait, the more a child is going to be placed in danger — harm — or maybe even worse.”

State data shows more than 11,000 children are currently in foster care in Georgia.

The strain became public in November, when DFCS Commissioner Candice Broce told providers they could no longer start new services without special approval, citing financial challenges tied to the federal government shutdown. Contracts for children with intensive health needs were also cut.

A letter obtained by the news nonprofit The Imprint and shared with Atlanta News First shows four former DFCS directors warning Gov. Brian Kemp that the consequences of inaction are “immediate and measurable,” urging emergency funding from the state’s surplus.

Kemp confirmed Tuesday that his office received the letter. He acknowledged rising costs, which have increased 159% since 2022, and described that growth as unsustainable.

“We realize that there will be a need for having more resources, but 159% — that is something that we need to look at very closely,” Kemp said.

Looking at photos of the dozens of kids he has fostered, DeGarmo said the debate over additional funding has real consequences for the thousands of children now waiting for services.

“Some of these children are just looking for someone to give them a chance,” he said.

On Wednesday, DFCS Director Candice Broce is scheduled to present her budget priorities during the three-day state budget appropriations process, where emergency funding and long-term solutions will be considered.