Management Policy

Public local funds are funds from cities or counties which are received by or budgeted for expenditure on behalf of the local child protective services units or child welfare boards. These funds are not actually received by DFPS staff or child welfare boards. The city or county pays these funds on behalf of the program. Title IV-E and state-paid foster care reimbursements become public local funds when they are received by the county from DFPS. The county uses the reimbursements for child welfare services or includes them in the county's general revenue fund.

Public funds are usually given for a specific purpose or type of service and for a specific period of time. Counties or child protective services units must indicate in accounting records that the county or unit spent the funds according to the directions of the city, county, and child welfare board. According to the child welfare contract, a child's Title IV-E or state-paid foster care payments must be spent for the child. Any unspent public funds may revert to the city or county treasury, may be reallocated to the local unit, or may remain in the local unit's operating funds, depending on the policies or decisions of county or city officials.