Georgia's 'hoteling' of foster children was significantly reduced in 2023

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Commissioner Candice Broce gave lawmakers an update on hoteling foster children on Wednesday.

Credit: Georgia House Media Services

Georgia Department of Human Services Commissioner Candice Broce gave legislators an update on a foster child placement process known as "hoteling" during a budget hearing on Wednesday. 

Hoteling is a process that takes place when social services can’t place a high-needs child in a foster home or hospital so they wind up sleeping in a hotel or office.

This time last year, it was common for officials to hotel up to 70 children per night. Now, that number is often zero for weeks at a time. Broce said the improvement is thanks to increased funding from the Legislature.

“My fellow agency heads and nonprofits and judges and advocates and foster families and group homes and health care partners and attorneys and frontline workers — that's how Georgia ended hoteling," Broce said, also thanking the governor and first lady for their support.

Lawmakers passed legislation aimed at minimizing hoteling by removing some red tape in the foster care system last year.

Bruce said increased salaries for employees have also helped the department run smoothly.

"There are never easy solutions, but we are determined to fix them," she said. "And as we continue those efforts, we are already running more efficiently. There's more accountability. Staff are better compensated. Thank you. And we are making important decisions with better information."