PREFACE
Let’s begin with the elephant in the room. Yes, foster parents get paid. However, the cost of healthy food, extracurriculars, treats, and adventures (which our family seems necessary for mental health) vastly outweighs the paycheck. This article will not apply to all foster families, but I will post about my family’s experience. Lets break it down.
STATE AND AGE
Each state pays foster parents a different rate per child.
The age of the child affects the amount.
LICENSING COSTS AND HOME INSPECTION
The foster license requires you to purchase several items: fire extinguishers, fingerprints at your local sheriffs office (print and digital), among other things. These add up over time.
[2] fire extinguishers: $60
Fingerprinting for three adults: $60
Fire inspection of home: $50
Baby proofing and locks: $38.30+
Every child needs a bed and we’re licensed for 2 kids of a wide age range (bunk bed frame, pack and play, toddler bed, mattresses, sheets, comforters, pillows…): $700+
** *Miscellaneous “day 1” overnight stuff (pajamas and shoes for a range of sizes, comfort items, bed rails, night lights, batteries, diapers, pull ups, non perishables, formula, etc): $300+
*Some kids will show up at your door at 3AM without clothes, food, or comfort items, just a garbage bag of memories. It’s good to have basic need items in stock.
**Admittedly, mom and I went on many thrift store adventures over the course of our foster classes and bought ALOT of clothes. They’re so cute. We couldn’t help it. We’ve given most away to charity or to our local foster closet. Others came in handy!
COST FOR EACH PLACEMENT
When we took in respite children (meaning short term placements of 2 weeks or less), we fed them, entertained them, and took them on a handful of adventures. This cost quite a bit, but they all deserved it. Not to mention, we got out of the house. $1,000+
Food: $800+/mo
Some placements receive a DSS voucher to purchase new shoes and/or school supplies. This often depends on the ages of the child and the circumstances. $150
One of our teenage placements only had one outfit that fit. We bought that teen a whole new wardrobe. He deserved it. Voucher covered 1/3 if the cost. $300+
Life-book, picture printing, and scrapbook items for each kid: $50-$100/child
Our youngest long term placements is FINALLY enrolled in daycare. Due to her traumatic background, she is behind her peers in terms of health and education. These were not her prioritized. In order to get her back on track, we were determined to enroll her in a school that would cater to her needs. Give her more 1-on-1 attention. This school costs more than the school voucher that DSS provides, so we pay the difference. $209+/mo
Extracurriculars: $50-$300/activity
Gas: ~ $110/week
GIFTS AND DONATIONS
Gifts (via Amazon registry) thanks to friends and family: FREE
Foster closet: FREE
Books: $30/kid (lots of gifted books, thrift store books, and library books)