Foster parents can get a substantial amount of financial assistance.
Foster parents play an important role in society by caring for children who cannot be cared for by their biological parents. These situations may be temporary or permanent, but regardless of how long the child remains in a foster home, the foster parents bear the duty and expense of caring for the children. Fortunately there are many forms of financial assistance to lighten the load for foster parents.
State
All states offer some degree of compensation to foster parents. Although the financial payment to foster parents acts as an incentive, social workers making foster placements try to ensure that foster parents are not caring for children simply for the sake of getting more money.
Solvency
State agencies making foster care placements need to make sure that prospective foster parents have enough money to meet their financial obligations without the additional assistance. Making sure that foster parents are financially solvent makes it more likely that placements will be in stable homes.
Agencies
State agencies pay foster parents for the service of providing care. Many agencies work together to offer financial assistance to the foster families to help defray the costs of supporting children. Some of the assistance offered includes daycare, clothing, food and medical care.
Scholarships
Children in foster care have access to education scholarships. While state governments may help with financial needs of foster parents up to age 18, the children may reach adulthood even though they're lacking some of the same security of others. Foster parents may not have had an opportunity to save up for the child's college education. Therefore private scholarships are a possible good resource, and some are directed at former foster children in particular.
Families
Extended family members can choose to care for children while also receiving the foster parenting subsidies available to other foster parents. If family members are already caring for children of relatives, state agencies can help them locate resources. While it depends upon the circumstances, family foster care does not preclude receiving financial assistance.
Tags: foster parents, caring children, financial assistance, foster care, family members, financial assistance Foster, Foster parents