AR SB51

Establishes a maximum of 1,388 regular employees for the Division of Children and Family Services for fiscal year 2022-2023, including positions ranging from Deputy Director to Program Assistant across multiple grade levels.

Appropriates $140,903,735 for operations, including $59,334,496 for regular salaries, $23,213,661 for personal services matching, $5,061,305 for overtime, and $17,191,660 for operating expenses.

Appropriates $59,384,231 for state grants including $48,736,982 for foster care and $10,647,249 for state residential treatment.

Appropriates $98,054,809 for TANF Foster Care grants and establishes funding of $2,500,000 for the Commission for Parent Counsel.

Authorizes up to 65 temporary or part-time employees and appropriates additional funding for child abuse prevention ($280,317) and safe harbor grants for sexually exploited children ($50,000), effective July 1, 2022.