Private agencies could soon handle all foster care in Scioto County. Scioto County Commissioners unanimously approved moving Scioto County Children Services under the supervision of Scioto County Jobs and Family Services and transitioning the current board to an advisory capacity.
The move comes as the agency faced a $2 million shortfall for 2022 and commissioners. Commissioners hoped the move would eventually save money and speed up the permanent placement of children.
Davis called for an immediate review of all children in CPS care for 12 out of the past 24 months to see if they can be placed in a permanent home. That placement would save money on foster care expenses. “If we get these kids placed in a loving home and safe environment the costs go away to the agency.”
He said the groundwork had already been laid with discussions with the juvenile court and prosecutors office.”
He also said improved technology would soon be introduced to better track cases.
Private Agencies Cost More But Provide Better Services
Davis said he recommended immediately moving the 24 foster families currently administered by Scioto County Children Services to a private license provider. “CPS already contracts with many agencies for this exact purpose.”
Davis said that while CPS foster care is cheaper, about half the rate of private providers, “I do not believe that the children are being served as well as they could be.” Davis said currently, only around 50 children out of the nearly 400 foster kids in the county were directly under CPS care. “Costs will go up initially, but it is our belief that with improved communication with the juvenile court, there will be improved outcomes. There will be moves to permanency or an acceptable outcomes faster and overall improved staff utilization.”
Davis said one license provider told commissioners they would do additional home visits, “A minimum of two per month. More if needed due to difficult circumstances. They provide wrap-around services such as mental health.”
Davis said he understood the situation because he’d lived it. “We had boys in our home which we eventually adopted. The mental health services are crucial. We ended up laying for that in our situation.”
The commissioner said he felt private agencies could do a better job of supporting children. “The additional cost to help our children is worth it.”
Davis said no stone would go unturned in investigating ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency under the new system. “Let’s not lose track that none of this would be necessary if it wasn’t for the opioid addiction crisis in our communities.”