COLUMBUS, Ga. – Georgia’s foster care spending on direct services increased by $155.4 million in three years, rising from $366.1 million in fiscal year 2022 to $521.5 million in fiscal year 2025. During that period, the number of children whose annual care costs exceeded $100,000 jumped from 177 to 729, an increase of about 4.1 times. State auditors found that the rising expenses reflected children needing more intensive services, fewer available placement options, higher provider rates and changes in how the state approved payments.
The findings come from a September 2026 special examination by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts, requested by the House Appropriations Committee. The report examined the Division of Family & Children Services, or DFCS, which operates the state’s foster care system through its Out-of-Home Care program. Although the review covers Georgia statewide, its findings affect how public money supports foster children, including those served in Columbus and surrounding communities.
Where the Additional $155 Million Went
State auditors identified four spending categories responsible for nearly all the increase between fiscal years 2022 and 2025. Together, those categories grew by $160.4 million, more than the program’s overall increase because spending in other categories declined. The largest dollar increase involved daily payments to foster care providers, while behavioral aides recorded the largest percentage increase.
Spending categoryIncrease, FY2022 to FY2025Percentage increase…