Children’s services levy would help fund a 19% increase of children in foster care
Hamilton County’s foster care system will need a boost in tax revenue amid skyrocketing costs for the area’s most vulnerable children, according to county officials.
Since the most recent Jobs & Family Services (JFS) levy was passed in 2021, the average number of children in foster care has increased 19%. Concurrently, the cost of out-of-home care increased by 92%, assistant county administrator Lisa Webb told the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 20.
The rising costs are in part due to an increased complexity of cases in the foster care children: More children with high needs, such as suicidal ideation and mental health challenges, are entering the system.
The increased need is leading officials to take another step to fund the foster care system. JFS says an additional levy is needed to make up for the rising costs.
“We have not seen what we are seeing now,” Webb said, referencing her 17 years overseeing the levy.
They aim to get the new levy on the ballot in the May primary or November general election. A ballot measure pending approval by commissioners.
JFS Interim Director John Nelson cited an example of a child, under the moniker “Ruby,” whose challenges reflect the types of cases they see increasing.
According to the example, JFS has spent $178,000 caring for Ruby. She was molested and relocated to live with her grandmother, then was placed in JFS custody and relocated five additional times due to mental health challenges she experienced as a result of violence she witnessed.
“It’s a really hard challenge to take care of someone like Ruby,” Nelson said. “All of the struggles our caseworkers go through are to make sure children like Ruby can be successful, because they may be the future leaders of our country.”
What’s next for the levy?
- The committee reviewing the levy is collecting data on levy expenditures and what will be needed.
- To maintain current service levels, the levy would need $123 million in 2027. Offering reduced services drops the need in 2027 to $74 million.
Reece noted that JFS had $100 million in its coffers as of December 2024, but is now bankrupt “just in time for the ballot.”
Nelson said this is a state problem. Children’s services agencies statewide are dealing with similar issues funding their programs as local need increases.
Depending on the levy consultant’s report, the commission would decide to put the levy on the ballot either May 5 or Nov. 3.
Follow-up question from Documenter Frazier Smith:
- What can the county do to make the state more accountable in the children’s services arena?
