The Elephant In The Room... Money

If you’ve ever seen movies like “It Takes Two” or “Annie,” you probably have a very negative perception of foster care. While there are group homes whose selfish managers only earn their license to feed their wallets, those people are not the majority. But yes, foster parents do get paid.

The intent behind the paycheck is not income. Foster parents aren’t being paid to parent. Instead, the paycheck is supposed to act as a supplemental budget to ensure the child’s needs are being met. This money should go toward food, clothes, and other basic needs. Many foster children are placed in a foster home without any basic amenities. On several occasions, social workers have handed us children in the middle of winter who didn’t have any coats or shoes, just a dirty onesie.

All of our placements received a one-time $100 shoe voucher.

Programs like WIC allot foster parents a certain food budget for children under the age of 5. 7/19/24 edit: Our current foster, K, is a growing boy and drinks a lot of formula. WIC covers about half the cost of his Similac Sensitive formula, the balance of which is still several hundred dollars.

The Breakdown

First, let’s breakdown the foster parent’s out of pocket responsibilities during the TIPS-MAPP class.

[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!

Other Considerations

Each state pays foster parents a different rate per child.

The age and needs of the child determine the amount that you receive per month.

 Each foster parent is different. We tend to spoil our children. Who can blame us? We love them and they deserve it, but it comes with a literal cost. For example, when we took in respite children (meaning short term placements), we took them on a handful of adventures. Trampoline parks. Aquariums. Children’s museums. Fancy lunches. Ice cream. Toy store. It adds up.

We treated our teenage placement to a whole new wardrobe when he experienced a growth spurt. Have you ever purchased a plus size jacket for a teenage boy? This trip cost several hundred dollars.

As you probably know, inflation has resulted in ridiculous food costs.

Lifebooks can be costly if you go overboard (and I always do). Picture printing and craft items can easily cost $50-$100.

Depending on the age of our child and the availability of our local schools, enrollment might cost extra money out of pocket. In most cases, DSS vouchers will cost all or most of a school payment. In some cases, we still owed a monthly balance. Not to mention, school supplies and field trips add to the budget.

Extracurriculars: $50-$300/activity

Gas: ~ $110/week

We immediately created an Amazon wish list for our children. We are blessed with an incredible support system, so our fosters received books, gifts, and shoes, all courtesy of our friends and family. (Amazon registry)

Foster closet: FREE

Books. Books these days can cost $30/child. Luckily there are many programs that provide foster children with FREE books. Remember to check local thrift stores and (of course) take advantage of your county’s library.