More Arkansas foster care case workers could be hired

Some lawmakers say the state has made strides to overcome what they dubbed a dark time for the state's foster care system.

This, after reports surfaced of abuse and deaths. With the recent string of budget cuts, foster care programs took a hit. However, a recent decision by the Governor has advocates feeling hopeful.

More than a year ago, Beebe called for an overhaul of the state's foster care system. There were hearings and strides taken to lighten the loads of case workers. While advocates are excited about those efforts, they're fearful budget cuts could slow down the momentum.

19 year-old Little Rock Job Corp student Ezekiel Pennington says he's still overcoming set backs from his childhood.

"Yeah we had clothes and food and shelter, but we're still struggling you know," explains Pennington.

At nine years-old, the state placed Pennington in foster care.
"I was scared; it was a scary experience, and also confused. It was very confusing, you know being nine-years-old and not knowing what's going on; just knowing that you can't be around your mom anymore and that's all you've been around pretty much your whole life," says Pennington.

On any given day, Arkansas has nearly 4,000 children in foster care and thanks to new strides, soon each case worker will be responsible for about 30 children, instead of 35.

"It seemed like she wasn't there enough. I understand she had more cases than just mine so I understand was pretty busy but you know I think she could been there a little bit more than what she was," says Pennington.

In 2009 the legislature added about $9 million to DHS's budget for the hiring of 160 new case workers over the next two years. Then with the state's budget cuts, hiring was put on hold with only 100 postions filled.

State Representative Donna Hutchinson, who has been working to get more support for the foster care system, was relieved to hear Beebe's announcement Tuesday.  "Foster care children solely rely upon the state government to take care of them and when the state fails to take care of them we've found out what happens," says Hutchinson.

In 2008, four foster care children in the state died from alleged abuse, never getting the chance Pennington has had to work towards a better future.

In 2008, DHS actually looked into the deaths of 11 children allegedly abused. However, only four were still in foster care at the times of their deaths. Now with the commitment to use the Rainy Day fund, the state says despite cuts, these new case worker jobs for now at least are safe.