Betsy Russell reports that JFAC has voted unanimously to fund half the requested increase in payments to foster families next year, after earlier setting a budget for the Division of Child Welfare that included no increase.   Idaho’s foster care payments are the fifth-lowest in the country, at just $274 a month for a child ages 0-5; $300 for a child age 6-12; and $431 for a child age 13-18.

“In retrospect, I really felt that we needed to do something on this request,” said Rep. Wendy Jaquet, D-Ketchum, who noted it was among the top budget requests from the germane committees.   Rep. Shirley Ringo, D-Moscow, said a recent study showed Idaho’s reimbursement rates would need to rise by 75 to 130 percent to cover foster parents’ actual expenses.