MIAMI (AP) — State child welfare officials are trying to recruit more medical foster homes to prevent disabled foster children from having to live in nursing homes.

This week’s policy change from the Department of Children and Families comes as state health officials are fighting accusations from the Department of Justice and a scathing lawsuit from families of more than a dozen children alleging the state is warehousing disabled children in adult nursing homes.

The lawsuit alleges parents are forced to institutionalize their children because the state routinely slashes in-home care.

DCF has about 30 disabled children who are in state custody living in nursing homes.

Almost another 200 disabled children, not under DCF care, also reside in nursing homes.

State health officials insist they are in full compliance with Medicaid laws.