Scioto County Commissioners didn’t mince words at Thursday’s meeting, where the skyrocketing cost of foster placements once again took center stage. The commissioners had just approved an additional $500,000 for Scioto County Jobs and Family Services (JFS) to cover foster care expenses when the conversation turned fiery.
“Do the Math” – $2,500 a Day Case
Commissioner Scottie Powell pointed to one particularly staggering case: a single child whose placement cost the county $2,500 per day—nearly $900,000 a year.
“That’s about a third of our entire budget,” Commissioner Bryan Davis added, visibly frustrated. Powell noted that while the child had significant needs, the price tag was unsustainable.
Other cases, Powell explained, also show providers suddenly raising rates without oversight:
- “A provider will take somebody in at $250 a day. Three days later, we get a phone call—suddenly it’s $350. There’s no real system to justify those increases. This is taxpayer money.”
Fewer Kids in Care, Higher Bills
Powell said the number of children in county custody has dropped to about 214, down from 417 when Children Services merged into JFS. But even with half the kids, costs are still soaring.
“Different JFS agencies across the state are essentially being held hostage by providers,” Powell said. “If a child needs placement, they can slap on any price they want. We don’t have a choice.”
Davis: “This Is Abuse of the System”
Commissioner Bryan Davis said he was on the phone with the Governor’s Office earlier that day, warning that foster care placement costs are “budget busters” for counties across Ohio.
“We’re conservatives. We don’t like heavy regulation. But this? This is abuse. Charging thousands for one day of care—it’s outrageous. This is waste, fraud, and abuse at its core,” Davis said.
He tied the problem directly to untreated mental health issues and the fallout from the opioid epidemic, pointing out that without adequate local treatment options, counties are left footing astronomical placement bills.
Workers Stretched Thin, Kids Still Hurting
Davis praised JFS workers and the courts for their “blood, sweat, and tears” in caring for children, but said the broken system takes a toll.
“We’re on pace to see a record number of adoptions this year. But behind the numbers are real kids who are hurting, being pulled back and forth. Unless you’ve lived it, you don’t understand. This goes beyond dollars and cents—we’re talking about children’s lives.”
State Aid Isn’t Enough
Scioto County recently received an extra $200,000 from the state, but Davis called it “a drop in the bucket.”
“We’ve had a 50% increase in costs with half the number of kids. There’s a problem here, folks. We’ve been screaming about it for two years. The system is broken, and the state has to step up.”
📢 Want to help?
Scioto County is always in need of foster parents. To learn more or apply, contact Scioto County CPS at 740-456-4164 or 740-354-6661, visit sciotocountyjfs.com/child-protective-services, or email [email protected].
