Louisiana is rolling out a three-part plan to pump more money into foster care, join a federal recruitment drive and safeguard benefits meant for kids in the system. The governor's office and child-welfare officials say the package, which includes a proclamation, an executive order and a budget request, is all about getting more licensed foster homes on the books so fewer children are stuck waiting for placements. The timing is no accident, either, as the administration pitches a recommended budget that would put fresh dollars into foster board payments.
Budget Plan Puts More Cash on the Table for Foster Families
The governor's recommended FY 2026–27 executive budget sets aside about $16.86 million to raise foster-care board rates, a move the spending plan says would bump the average daily board payment from roughly $19.47 to $29.60. According to the Executive Budget [FY 2026-2027], the proposal would also increase adoption and guardianship subsidies that are tied directly to the foster board rate.
Landry Signs On and Vows to Guard Survivor Benefits
On Feb. 24 Gov. Jeff Landry signed a proclamation bringing Louisiana into the federal "A Home for Every Child" initiative, alongside an executive order that is supposed to ensure Social Security survivor benefits follow eligible children into foster care for education, housing and savings. "Louisiana is proud to be one of the first states to join President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump's Foster Care initiative," Landry said in the announcement, according to the Office of the Governor.
What Foster Caregivers Are Paid Right Now
State materials make clear that current board payments are modest and depend on a child's age. The DCFS foster-care handbook lists room-and-board at about $392.10 per month for infants, which works out to roughly $19.47 per day, with slightly different daily amounts for older children. The department's 2025 statewide fact sheet also notes that DCFS served more than 7,100 children in foster care, a number that highlights the scale of demand for placements. Both documents come from the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. See the DCFS Foster Caregiver Handbook and the DCFS 2025 Statewide Fact Sheet.
Officials Say Foster Rates Have Barely Budged in 20 Years
During the budget rollout, state budget staff told reporters that foster board rates have been raised only once in roughly two decades, and that DCFS is seeking about $17 million to increase board payments for FY 2026–27. Those details were reported by the Louisiana Illuminator.
Federal Initiative Offers Strategy Help, Not New Money
The federal Administration for Children and Families describes its "A Home for Every Child" initiative as a technical and reporting framework meant to boost the number of licensed homes, improve retention and strengthen prevention work. The effort emphasizes squeezing more out of existing federal child-welfare funds and technical support rather than creating a new pot of federal cash. A number of states have already signed on. Local coverage also highlighted a serious shortfall in foster homes, noting that Louisiana's 2025 ratio was reported at about 48 homes for every 100 children, a gap that advocates say the pay increases are intended to help close. See the Administration for Children and Families overview and local reporting from WBRZ.
What Happens Next at the Capitol
The executive budget is only the governor's recommendation, and lawmakers in Baton Rouge still have to sign off on any changes during the 2026 legislative session. If the appropriation makes it through the process intact, state leaders say the money would be used to raise board payments and support recruitment and retention efforts aimed at certifying more homes and cutting down on placement delays. Executive Budget [FY 2026-2027].
