Payment for foster care in texas? anyone know what help you get if you take on a foster child?

Question

Payment for foster care in texas? anyone know what help you get if you take on a foster child?

Answer 1

I dont know the exact amount for your state, but I can say overall, foster parents almost always end up putting out a significant amount of their own money towards these children. It isnt a lot.

Answer 2

At least the Texas agency we were planning on going through "The Settlement Home", a basic needs child it is around $600 a month.  Around 85%-90% of children are basic needs.  You receive more for higher needs children, but I don't remember what they said it would be.  Your first placement is rarely a higher needs child.  You also get medicaid for the child - even if you want the child to go on your health insurance, it can't until/if you adopt.  Also, there is the option of getting assistance with child care (daycare only if you are going to be working) - I think it is called CCMS.  The child care subsidy only lasts as long as the State of Texas has money.  I heard it always runs out before the end of the year, so plan on paying that.  

There are different rules for "Relative Placements", but not sure what they are.  

If you are at all interested, I would suggest going to an informational meeting.  Here is the link  http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Adoption_and...   That really is the first step and you can have your questions answered by State and Private presenters.  They give out a nice brouchure listing all the agencies with what they provide and a little more about them.  We did lots of research by talking to others I know, called quite a few of the places, and went to visit several.  If you are in the Austin area, we have been really happy with "The Settlement Home".  

Good luck!  The need is really there for foster homes with around 45,000 kids in foster care in Texas alone.

Answer 3

It's not really a "payment" as much as a reimbursement for the expenses of caring for a child.  Most foster families get around $21 a day for each child fostered (about $600 a month) though if you take on special needs children that rate increases.  Foster children are also eligible for Medicaid and many foodbanks will help out foster families.  I put a link below to the Texas Department of Health site that explains it all.  I think kinship care gets some amount of subsidy, but I don't think it's the full foster care amount.  Also, agencies and hospitals get more than regular families (go figure) but I guess that's because they're helping place the children and/or have higher costs.

Answer 4

Sorry, but I am offended by your questions.  "Payment" for foster care?  No, but you can be reimbursed for the expenses you have associated with the daily care of a child you are fostering who is in state custody.  And, do I know what "help" you get if you "take on" a foster child?  Hopefully, no one "takes on" a foster child, but rather opens their heart and home and family to lovingly care for a child in foster care.  The reimbursement of expesnes depends of the needs of the child -- medical care, special equipment, therapy, diapers, etc.  Please, language is so important.

Answer 5

Most generally the child will get Medicaid to cover any medical expenses and then you will get a monthly pay to cover the child's needs.  This amount varies based on the child's age and needs.