A federal judge says the state is not properly paying for the foster care of more than 12,000 children. Judge Nanette Laughrey has given the state two months to come up with a formula for reimbursing group homes for their actual costs of care. Court records indicate the state might be paying as little as 60 percent of the actual costs of care in group foster homes. Judge Laughrey has not ordered the state to spend more money yet. She just wants to see a formula that puts Missouri in line with federal standards.
