How Much Do Foster Parents Get Paid?
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- Опубліковано 8 кві 2022
- How much do foster parents get paid to do foster care? That is a major question for many so I have decided to answer that for those fostering in California with an agency (FFA). I also touch on childcare (bridge program, subsidized childcare), WIC and Medi-Cal. I also discuss a little bit about interactions you may have with bio parents of the children in your care.
It’s really frustrating that the state doesn’t PAY you … yes pay you to care for the children. I don’t know why people demonize the idea of getting paid to take care of foster children. Daycares, schools, physicians, aftercare programs, child agencies, specialist, school buses, school food programs etc all these corporates get paid (very well) to provide a service for children and no one bats an eye. That $1000+ a month is nothing if you want your foster children to live a well rounded life. These children shouldn’t have to rely on “special” sometimes low quality: camps, after school programs, daycare or other programs because a foster parent can’t afford to pay above the basics and have to pay out of pocket. These children are not her biological children or adopted children… but children that she provides a temporary service for. People like her are providing an unmatched service for these children and she should be paid… there are many people who would do fostering but the cost and headache of not being able to afford above the basics is hard.
Not a lot here in California. I just applied to become a foster parent , been wanting to do this for so long and finally in a place I feel ready.
Really great video and loved how you stated the stipend is not a 'payment' it is a 'reimbursement' for what you spent. All these people who comment 'People foster/adopt for the money" make me NUTS. Here, don't see any reimbursement for 6+ weeks. We get an initial clothing allowance of $65 or something for young kids*if* it is the first time child is in care and that is also a reimbursement. At most, covers a box if diapers, some wipes and a couple outfits. When kids are removed, often the worst day for parents and situation tense. Sometimes the workers have the police with them. They get the kids out fast to minimize trauma; they aren't stopping to pack bags if the parents are reacting. And, parents can stop them from taking things. So, kids dropped off in winter in sweats, tshirt and no shoes or coats...People interested in fostering should see if there is a foster closet in your area to help build supplies. Also, seasonal kid consignment sales - many have half off the last day or a dollar dash. Buy Nothing groups, FB market place by lot. You can find new/like new clothes for great prices! Also, change of season sales. Old Navy has shirts for .97 and 1.97. Finally, after Christmas sale...that Tuesday when Target marks everything down. You get red stuff w/out Santa that last to Valentines and beyond. Carter's and other brand PJs marked down to a few dollars. Walmart sometimes has stuff for $1 and shoes for $2 or $3. Not best quality so just to have on hand or extra set at daycare/car. Have to be really creative re finances, sales, stacking coupons to have things on hand. The FB couponing groups for Walmart and Target helpful. When they change out packaging for diapers - they clear out old w/reduced prices! People post their finds so you can check if they are in your area (not always but helps you scan stuff when you are in the store in case...) Can have a Google number on your phone so you don't have to give your real number to bio family.
Veryy informative comment. Thank you for taking the time to share Amy!!!
I know some people who are doing for a money grab and a 23 year old taking care of 8 kids with no job….. yeah that’s a money grab
@@TheTruthAintInYa In my state, you have to show your financials before you are licensed. Your income and expenses. You don't have to be rich. But, you do have to meet your bills without a foster stipend. I know two people households and one takes care of kids. If you have 8 kids...the amount of time lost for work due to illness, the appointments, the visist, the coordination would be VERY challenging to work full time. That is why some states have 'professional foster parents' where foster is their 'job' and they have to do all transport and visits and appointments (doctor, dentist, therapy). I just cared for a child this summer who had about 8 appointments in 4 weeks...full day dental surgery full day recover. It is very hard to do while working full time if you get a case of extreme neglect b/c the amount of appointments needed to catch them up and if they are delayed in daycare or school enrollment b/c they are 5 and never had ANY immunizations.
And, I used all my leave for that so no vacation. That was my choice to foster but it's not something everyone thinks about. Not every case is extreme neglect...but when they are...it is a doozy.
This has been in my heart forever
YMCA, Girls Scouts, and Boys and Girls Club are usually free. And after-school programs at local daycares are usually free or at a low cost.
Museums often free to foster family
In Mo we get 320 month plus 80 if under 3 for diapers etc. And 280 for clothing for whole year.
Interesting how different states work!
So since yiu say they sont track whats being soent, do you max the "reimbursement" check so yiu get paid even though you may not have spent as much as you stated? Basiclaly just the first reimbursement checks are the hardest financially for yiu, after that its a constabt money flow right?
I’m not sure if it’s a 100% accurate but I believe in Florida it’s about $400+ a month. So little as the prices of everything has risen so much within the past few years.
Okay, that is wrong. That is an adoption credit, not foster credit 🙈 Not sure how much foster credit is in Fl, but hopefully more than 400$.
It sounds like quite a challenge to budget with such a small amount with today's prices.
Hi Jeanne, yes definitely! But the kids are so worth it!! 😁
And dont forget, something you are never told as soon as you sign up for foster care you sign up with the DHS and Child protection but your only signing once it covers the lot and if you have your own children the CPS watch you like a hawk ready to pounce
Do you have any recommendations for a foster program on where to start?
We are suppose to get daycare but have been waiting6 months. It also provides diapers and formula
Oh gosh!!! 6 months is crazy. How do they expect people to be able to foster and work??
Are parents allowed to use the funding for expenses like bills too?
Its ok getting paid but as soon as a foster child makes lies up about there carer, you loose everything your house the lot it cost us over 60 thousand dollars in lawyer fees because of false lies and we are one of hundreds who have been down the same path
That is incredibly unfortunate! I do carry that fear with me as well. It's not just the children making accusations but sometimes the bio family. Fortunately it worked out as it should have in my situation. It was nerve racking though and I did have to take a break after that.
But remember 10 years down the track they can still get you
@@JKLfamthe legal side is never told in training until its too late my Lawyer said he gets 2 phone calls a week people in the same situation as we were some have been going for 3 years, and you never ever have photos of the foster children on your phone because when the police take your phone you are doomed
@@JKLfam well i just lost my Job of nearly 3 decades as they took my working with children card over false accusations but the believe the children before they believe the carer Carers don't have a leg to stand on if accusations are made
@@Farmer2492 that is so unfortunate!! I am so sorry to hear that. This is why it makes me nervous to ever become a full-time foster parent! It just isn’t a system designed to protect us
Under 5 and up to 5 mean the same thing. lol.
Hmm I guess I mean some places say under 5 which would be 0-4 and some say up to 5 meaning 0-5. Maybe that makes more sense maybe it doesn’t 🤷🏻♀️
Wanting to be a foster parent for money is so toxic and cruel to the child u adopt and this is sad y’all should try something else less evil
In the video I explain foster parents are actually not paid but given a reimbursement to cover the costs of caring for the children in your care. If there was no reimbursement I do not believe the average person could or would do it. There are mandatory monthly spendings as well. I do everything I can to use their reimbursement to make them feel as comfortable as possible while living with me (good food, nice clothes, new shoes, a/c and heater, outings to the zoo, get gas so they can visit their bio family, go to appointments, miss work without pay to attend medical visits, the latest toys, subscription to Disney+ and Amazon kids, pool trips, a nice daycare, character blankets and pillow pets, backyard swing sets, etc.) I personally couldn't afford to live off of "foster checks" especially in the California Bay Area so please don't assume that all foster parents are evil, greedy, selfish, etc. Some are and I get that and some foster children have had really terrible experiences that no child deserves but there are good people in this world and there are foster parents doing the right thing. And most foster parents do not end up adopting the children who come into their home. I have had a revolving door and zero of those children in and out of my home were eligible for adoption by anyone other than their bio family.
I’m in IL, we have a 10 month old and receive $510 a month.
We do qualify for WIC which gives us 7 cans of formula and 102 oz of baby food which is loaded on a card.
Every state is different and every little bit helps in caring for these precious children. The state will pay for daycare if foster parents are working.
Costco is a life saver for us as far as diapers and wipes and family/friends are always happy to donate clothes and spoil us with toys. 😊
Bless you and your family!
Sounds like u didn’t watch the video but rather just made an ignorant comment based on the title. Foster parents don’t get paid and they barely get enough to cover the cost of caring for the child. However, they should be paid. Foster parents r providing a service and more ppl would do it if the state did pay for the labor to care for these children. If these children were in an institution, the state would have to pay for ppl to provide care for the children, beyond the cost to provide a child a place to stay, food, etc. We pay a lot to house prisoners, above the cost to care for those ppl. Not paying foster parents is like asking prison employees to work for free.