Foster Agencies Experiencing Staffing Shortages

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kids-safe-3342-2

A lack of staff is creating a crisis at agencies across the state that provide foster-care to children. That was the message as executives from foster groups testified Tuesday in Lansing before a Senate subcommittee. Spectrum Human Services Westland Director Stacy Bowens told lawmakers more.

“When we don’t have the staff, we can’t bring in children,” Bowens said. “For instance, one of our programs has a waiting list of 40 children.”

Bowens and the other executives said while Governor Gretchen Whitmer has increased funding, they need more money to make wages more competitive to attract more staff.