MoProBono Fall 2018 Newsletter

9 MoProBono Fall 2018 A MoFo pro bono team directed by Marc Peters recently obtained a settlement with the Hawaii Department of Human Services that will provide more than $86 million to Hawaii’s foster care families over the next 10 years. This agreement brings a close to a federal class action lawsuit that was filed in December 2013 by foster parents, with the support of nonprofit Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice. The case arose because Hawaii was failing to meet its obligation under federal law to provide foster parents with sufficient stipends to pay for children’s basic needs. When the case began, Hawaii had not increased its foster care payments for 24 years. Under the terms of the settlement, reimbursement rates will increase to $649 per month for foster children ages five or younger; $742 for ages 6–11; and $776 for ages 12 and up. Additionally, the annual clothing allowance for each foster child will increase by between $210 and $426, depending on the age of the child. The settlement will remain in place for 10 years, during which time DHS has agreed to pursue increases to the reimbursement amounts as inflation increases the costs of caring for foster children. The successful brokerage of this deal resulted in an agreement that is supported by the legislature, the attorney general, and the governor and has been signed into law. SECURING INCREASED STIPENDS FOR HAWAII CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE When the case began, Hawaii had not increased its foster care payments for 24 years.