Increases salaries for foster care direct care workers; appropriation

This bill increases salaries for foster care direct care workers, caseworkers, and their supervisors in voluntary foster care agencies. It appropriates $17 million from the state general fund to support these raises, effective for the 2025-2026, 2026-2027, and 2027-2028 fiscal years. The funding comes through the foster care block grant and must be used directly to boost employee compensation. The bill aims to address chronic underfunding and improve workforce stability in the child welfare system.