News Release. (2016, August 30). State Agrees to $85M Foster Care Lawsuit Settlement > Hawaii Free Press. Hawaiifreepress.Com. https://hawaiifreepress.com/articles-main/id/18163/state-agrees-to-85m-foster-care-lawsuit-settlement
The systemic lack of funding and neglect of vulnerable foster children often leaves them at an increased risk profound physical abuse, sexual abuse, and severe emotional abuse, leaving them with personal injury and permanent psychological damage. According to this August 2016 news release from the Hawaii Attorney General, the state reached a massive $85 million global settlement to resolve multiple class-action lawsuits filed by licensed foster parents (resource families) who argued that the financial support provided to care for foster children was inadequate. The federal and state lawsuits were filed in December 2013, highlighting the fact that Hawaii’s basic board rate for foster families had not been increased since 1990 prior to a minor adjustment in 2014. Announced by Attorney General Doug Chin and Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Rachael Wong, it was agreed that new monthly board rates for the 2017-2018 fiscal year would increase to $649 for children ages 0-5, $742 for ages 6-11, and $776 for ages 12 and older. Also, annual clothing allowances will jump to a tiered system maxing out at $1,026 for teenagers, and members of the state lawsuit class will receive a back-pay of $35 per month for care provided between July 2013 and June 2014.