The latest State Audit has found that some foster children facilities are being overpaid. Megan Clarke has the story.
State Auditor Claire McCaskill says the state's foster care program is facing major problems including mismanagement of money. The state continues to pay residential facilities for up to seven days after a child has runaway. Some were paid up to 20 extra days. McCaskill questions this policy and suggests this money could be spent on other services than merely to hold a place for high flight-risk children.
THIS AGENCY IS NO QUESTION UNDERFUNDED. THESE SOCIAL WORKERS ARE PAID AMONG THE WORST IN THE COUNTRY. AND WE'VE GOT TO DO BETTER THAN THAT. IT'S AMAZING THAT WE CAN'T PRIORITIZE.
St. Louis Democrat Representative Margaret Donnelly says the real problem is the lack of support for foster parents.
FOSTER PARENTS, IN MY OPINION, ARE THE UNSUNG HEROES IN THIS SOCIETY. THEY PROVIDE CARING, SAFE HOMES FOR CHILDREN WITH MULTIPLE PROBLEMS.
Missouri's foster care system serves 19,000 children a year.
The State Auditor calls the status of Missouri's foster care database shocking in her latest audit. Megan Clarke tells us about the major glitches in the system.