California's low payments to foster parents violate federal Child Welfare Act, judge rules

California's low payments to foster parents violate federal Child Welfare Act, judge rules

California's payments to foster parents are so low that the state is in violation of the federal Child Welfare Act, a federal judge in San Francisco ruled Wednesday.

Ruling in favor of three groups of foster caregivers who brought suit against the state, U.S. District Judge William Alsup noted the state's compensation rate has fallen to as little as 60% of the costs the state is obliged to cover to be eligible for federal matching funds.