Indiana Department of Child Services calls for boost in budget

That was the request the agency delivered to the State Budget Committee on Monday as lawmakers prepare to write the next biennial spending plan.

That request would likely take up the majority of new tax collections expected, although the new revenue forecast won't be released until next week.

The request would continue supporting hundreds of new caseworkers added in the last few years and changes made so far in response to an agency review. But it would not increase provider reimbursement rates or payments made to foster parents.

The current fiscal year 2019 budget appropriation was originally $679 million. But administration officials transferred hundreds of millions to help the agency, which was dealing with high caseloads and turnover. Those dollars, though, were one-time commitments – sort of like when someone uses their savings to pay for ongoing expenses.