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« State urges safe disposal of mercury thermometers | Today | Weekend weather: Warm temps and, finally, some rain » October 5, 2007DCYF head disputes report on foster-parent supportThe state Department of Children, Youth and Families director this morning criticized a national study that found Rhode Island government's reimbursement rates for foster parents are below those in Massachusetts and Connecticut. DCYF Director Patricia Martinez said in a statement that the report did not account for several other kinds of payments made by DCYF to foster parents. The report, by the National Foster Parent Association, Children Rights, a child advocacy group, relied only on DCYF's "standard board rate" in figuring Rhode Island's support for foster families, DCYF counters. The study says Rhode Island foster parents receive monthly rates of $463 for children from birth to age 3, $454 for childrren 4 to 11, and $543 from ages 12 to 18. The national average is $479 monthly for children between birth and 3, $501 for ages 4 to 11 and $559 for those ages 12 and up. The average monthly payment to Rhode Island foster parents is actually closer to $729.39 when all financial support is accounted for, DCYF says. In Connecticut, the report says, foster parents are paid $756 monthly for children from birth to to age 3, $767 for children ages 4 to 11 and $834 for children over 12. In Massachusetts, it's $490 monthly for children from birth to age 3, $531 for those ages 3 to 11 and $616 for children over 12, the report says DCYF's statement does not say whether the same additional financial supports for fosters parents its cites are exclusive to Rhode Island or would be found -- and therefore added to -- the numbers in other states. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney “We all agree that foster parents should be compensated fairly,” Martinez said in the statement. “Foster parents have earned our praise and our gratitude for caring for many of Rhode Island’s most vulnerable children. They are the backbone of the child welfare system. "The issue in the report, however, is in how to calculate what is included in that compensation. Financial support for foster parents goes beyond the standard foster board payment.” “For instance, the report incorrectly states that the standard board rate is intended to cover regular ongoing expenses such as clothing,” Martinez said. “However, the department actually pays ongoing clothing allowances to all children in DCYF foster care totaling between $300 and $750 per year (in 3 installments), depending upon the age of the child. Inclusion of the clothing allowance increases DCYF's average board rate to $530 per month from $438.” “The department needs more time to further analyze the data to make sure that other important sources of DCYF support have not been similarly overlooked,” Martinez stated. “Nevertheless, as DCYF continues to transform the system, supports for foster families are an important part of the equation and part of the ongoing conversation with the Rhode Island Foster Parents Association.” Posted by Mike McKinney Commentssusandeccristofaro | October 5, 2007 1:18 PM link Foster parents are being paid alot more than what some parents get for child support. Too bad child support didn't work on the same guidelines A single mom | October 9, 2007 2:33 PM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
i am fosster parent and all i recive is $423.00 per month for 9 year old child .