The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is requesting $4.617 billion from the general fund–state (GFS) for 2027–29. This would be a reduction of $694.0 million (13.1%) compared to enacted appropriations for 2025–27.

The reduction in spending is entirely at the carry-forward level, which would decline by a net of $898.5 million. That includes a reduction of $916.1 million from removing the higher self-insurance liability premiums that were added in 2026 to help backfill the liability account. As I wrote last week, the request from the Department of Enterprise Services asks for $1.274 billion for the liability account. Much of that would come from increased premiums to be paid by DCYF that is not reflected in the DCYF budget request.

DCYF requests $147.6 million in maintenance level changes for 2027–29 (and $102.4 million for 2029–31), but that does not include any estimate of changes to early learning, juvenile rehabilitation, or child welfare caseloads since the February caseload forecast.

Policy level requests would add $56.9 million in 2027–29 and $64.3 million in 2029–31. That includes $27.1 million in 2027–29 and $35.1 million in 2029–31 to replace the social service payment system.

(Previous posts on the 2027–29 budget requests are available here.)