Most people believe that a majority of foster families are in it for the money. It is necessary to understand that fostering is not a job and is most definitely not considered a source of income.
Foster parents receive a stipend from the state for the expenses incurred in giving a foster child a comfortable life. This stipend is meant primarily for feeding and dressing the child. You can even manage to cover some transportation costs using it. In addition to this stipend, the state may also provide reimbursements according to the level of foster care required for the child.
However, there can be many other costs involved in raising a child. A scientific calculator for school, or a prom dress, perhaps! These are things for which you might initially not account.
The foster agencies usually make sure to thoroughly check the backgrounds of the foster parents to ensure that they wouldn’t be counting on that stipend to run the family. Since these stipends are not enough for all the child’s expenses, the foster family should be economically sound to take a child in. Also, there’s usually no telling when a placement arrives or leaves.
If a child has special needs, more time and attention will be needed by the foster parent, and therefore, a higher monthly payment is provided.. The extra stipend is to help with the frequent visits to a doctor, extra care, etc.
Foster Parenting in Texas:
According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the minimum amount of money that a child-placing agency must reimburse its foster families on the basic level of service is $27.07 per day. This level consists of a supportive environment to improve the well-being of the child.The family must ensure the child’s safety, give adequate affection, and provide medical attention as and when needed. Behaviors for children in this category may include children who act out occasionally and who have minor difficulties adapting to their surroundings.
If you opt for a moderate plan, you will receive $47.37 per day. You could be dealing with a frequently violent child who presents a medium risk to himself or others at this level. The child may be prone to substance abuse, have impairment in communication, or have a medical condition that needs constant support.
Raising a child in the specialized plan, where the stipend is $57.86 per day, will need you to deal with severe impairment due to substance abuse, suicidal behavior, multiple physical disabilities or a child who is confined to a bed.
An intense plan would allow you to avail $92.43 a day and require you to take care of a child who is extremely aggressive, makes recurring self-injurious actions, is dangerously addicted to drugs, unable to do any self-care, or needs 24-hour medical supervision to sustain life support.
The state will pay you $137.52 a day if you opt for the Treatment Foster Family Care level of service. This level is usually available only in treatment centers and deals with children with chronic runaway behaviors, extreme episodes of aggressive behavior, eating disorders, or intellectual disabilities. They can also be actively psychotic or can be a survivor of human or sex trafficking.
Even though raising foster children does not allow you to avail the tax deductions that adopting a child does, all of the reimbursements that come from the government are exempted from tax.
If you are concerned about taking a foster child in because you’re not sure if you can make ends meet with your current income, talk to us at Foster Texas. We can discuss and work out the best way to go about it!
