My husband and I have been planning on adopting children for years. But I just found out that some states...?

Question

I just found out that some states actually provide a stipend to foster care parents. How do I find out whether our state (VA) does this, and how much it is?

Answer 1

all states provide a federal stipend if you adopt what that state considers 'special needs' which means difficult to place.  In FL if the child is part african american or over the age of 8 or if you adopt a sibling group, or if the child has medical or emotional difficulties then you can qualify for a stipend where the state gets 60% reimbursement from the federal government.

Answer 2

You should ask a foster parent around where you are.  You could also ask DSS.  Their website is:

http://www.dss.virginia.gov/family/fc/pa...

Be careful how you ask because you don't want them to think you're "doing it for the money"... (as if that is a viable thing to do anyway considering that most states don't pay much at all)

If you adopt a special needs child (in our state it's defined as African American over age 2, any other race over age 7, special medical, emotional, physical or educational needs, sibling group, etc.), in some states the stipend continues even after the adoption is complete.  This makes it much more possible for these children to find adoptive homes since some of the extra expenses for the therapy and extra services they'll need will be covered.

Again...don't "do it for the money"...you'll find you're pouring out much more than you're taking in!

Answer 3

All states offer a stipend for parents adopting/fostering  a special needs child, to defray some of their expenses for medical care, therapy, rehabilitation, specialists, etc.   It in now way covers the true expense of raising a child.  

The child's needs qualify him or her for the stipend.  Not all children who are in foster care have a stipend -- only those with special medical, emotional or rehab needs.

But the decision to  foster or adopt should not be made based on this stipend.  It should be made on the decision to want to parent and love a child.   Good luck!

Answer 4

Most states have their foster program information right online or available to be mailed to you. A Yahoo search for "Virginia Foster Parenting" yielded this site: http://www.dss.virginia.gov/family/fc/pa...

All info you need is there.

Answer 5

in nj you get 1200 per foster child per month

if they have a medical problem 1500 per month

i'm sure it is in the same range for va

Answer 6

I am not familiar with VA laws, but you could check with their Dept of Human Resources, Children & Youth Division.  Our son (who was in foster care thru the kinship program prior to adoption) qualified for a stipend while he was in foster care and then also an adoption stipend because he is special needs.  Many people do not know this but if you adopt a special needs child, you may be entitled to a "special needs subsidy" thru your state.  It is dependent on the child's needs and expenses and they base it on that (at least in PA).  

Stipends and subsidies should never be a reason "for" adopting, however, I do believe that it can help parents provide the necessary medical care, etc., in most situations.  

Good luck to you.

Answer 7

Call your local child protection services agency and ask them.  They should have information. Or go to court and ask a judge there how much it costs.

Answer 8

Your state does and The amount probably will depend on your location call social services and ask?