Report: Most states pay foster parents far less than needed

Source: Associated Press

NEW YORK — Most states reimburse foster parents significantly less than the actual cost of raising a foster child, complicating the task of finding good homes for children who need them, according to a first-of-its-kind survey.

The survey analyzed regional living expenses and calculated on a state-by-state basis the minimum cost of adequately raising a foster child. Only Arizona and the District of Columbia pay foster parents more than this minimum amount, according the survey.

To adequately cover the cost of rearing a foster child, base payments in 28 states would need to be raised at least 50 percent, and five states — Idaho, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin — would need to more than double their current base rates, according to report.

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Of the more than 500,000 U.S. children in foster care at any given time, about 75 percent live with foster parents, while most of the others are placed in group homes and institutions.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/chronicle/5183695.html

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Just one more thing we're not spending money on at home while we dump billions upon billions into wars.

And then not all that much.

Let no one say I'm not open to compromise.

It is the way the GOP says they would like to see it.

Gee Thanks, now I am going to have nightmares.

In many cases, kennels are paid more per day to care for dogs than foster parents receive to care for kids.

the welfare system "pays" mothers far less then the foster system, usually about half of the amount per child.

If you go the Private sector route you get more then the states pay, but you also get the really messed up kids too... My wife and I do have what is called a "Therapeutic Foster Home" we get what are referred to as "targeted" children, these kids have had it really bad and have many many problems one we have at this time watched his mother commit suicide, then his father sold him to some people who in turn "rented" him out.. and he is one of the better ones.... we tried the other way through the state and just could not cover the costs above what they are willing to pay... went in the hole and had to go this other route.

Poor kid. Thank goodness he's with you guys. My son leaves for college next year and I'm considering taking in a foster child. I'll have just my 16-year-old then. He has autism and I'm wondering if I could offer to parent another autistic child.

Problem is we travel a lot - would that be a problem?

There are also sexually, physically and emotionally abusive people taking in kids, people who should never be allowed near kids. Pay 'em well, screen 'em well, and supervise them.

I can verify that here in WA state it is not uncommon for the foster parent to receive between $1000 and $1300 a month, per child. That is for "tier one" children, not just the heavily impacted "tier three" children.

hey, the sky is blue!