Georgia Department of Human Services projects $85M shortfall for fiscal year 2026

Caption

Georgia Department of Human Services Commissioner Candace Broce speaks at a December 2025 appropriations subcommittee meeting in the Georgia House.

Credit: Georgia House of Representatives livestream

The leader of the state agency that oversees Georgia’s foster care system says it will struggle to cope with a projected $85 million deficit in fiscal year 2026, which just under 10% of the Department of Human Services budget.  

DHS Commissioner Candace Broce says the shortfall was caused by a combination of delayed or reduced federal funds, increasing demand for foster care, and an increase in the costs of services. 

"It's a seller's market; the rates keep creeping up," Broce said. "And as a state agency head, you have no choice but to say 'Where do I sign?'”

The longest government shutdown in the country’s history delayed the arrival of federal grants the agency relies on, further exacerbating the problem, according to Broce. She said the agency has had to cut back on some foster care services because of cost at a meeting with state legislators Thursday. 

"I did not want to frustrate the work of our partners, jeopardize relationships with judges, risk contempt," she said. "I also don't want to break the law by overspending my budget. So I'm in a real catch-22 right now."

Broce is asking Gov. Brian Kemp and the Legislature to increase the department’s budget to ensure the state’s children get the care they need. 

Lawmakers on the appropriations committee who met with Broce asked her why the deficit has ballooned without the Legislature being clued in. 

"You've known about this for several months — we didn't know about this for several months," Rep. Esther Panitch said. "You could have asked for a special session. You could've asked the governor to give you emergency funding. And we don't have that at this point. So we're left trying to clean up the mess that your agency has made."