Do people honestly believe that the majority, or even a big chunk of foster parents really do it for the money?

Worlds Best Mother

I don't believe that. I definitely think most foster parents are in it for the love of the children, not the measly allowance they get. My next door neighbour has fostered children for over 20 years, she once told me how much the department pays her and I nearly died of shock. It's nowhere near enough to adequately care for a child, let alone to be profiting from. Conversely, we get adequate allowances for our own children, and yet some of these kids arrive in care with only the clothes they have on their back, where does all their biological parent's payments go?

Heather B

I don't know what proportion of foster parents do it for the money.

In the UK it is marketed as a job, working from home and the 'salary' is small.

IDK!!

I think most who do it, would not do it WITHOUT the money.

I have seen homes who have 6 kids and no full time job, they get payments for the kids and food stamps, medicaid for all and lots of donations from the neighborhood. I doubt they would still do it without these benefits.

I don't think it's the norm, but happens.

BTW, I though all foster kids get medicaid by law, and if you take a foster child for treatment, the state is responsible for the bill, not the foster parents.

mom of many

people who think that people do foster care just for the money, have no idea what being a foster parent is all about. No one makes money as a foster parent,

Independ"ant"

Its usually lower income people (not saying all) that tend to do it for the money. They usually take in teens or tweens for a little check thinking the kids can take care of themselves.

As far as most and neglect...........one is too many.

"Point is....."
Yes most people realize how little foster parents make.
The problem is most people don't realize that children in foster care are falsely stigmatized as damaged goods. Many believe they have severe emotional and medical problems or that they all came from abusive homes.......which is really sad/ignorant.

kateiskate

I honestly believe most foster parents do it because they love children and really have a desire to help.

But like with everything else, there are always going to be people who try to take advantage of the situation and do it for selfish reasons.

cantstopLinnyG

I don't think so. There are, of course, bottom of the barrel feeders out there who may take advantage of the system to make some money, but for the most part, I think this is not the norm. Where I live, the money f p's receive isn't very much- it barely covers the child's basic needs.
My state has also made the screening process more thorough to weed these "types" out of the system to make sure they are in it for the love of kids who need care, and not just a nominal paycheck.

Serenity71

I haven't met a foster parent yet who does it for money. They get very little really for fostering children and the foster parents of both my kids gave them for beyond in care and love and clothing etc that what they would receive in an allowance.

And it's NOT their choice if a child is sent back into an abusive situation. Social workers make that call, why do think so many foster families end up not fostering kids any more. It must be heartbreaking beyond words to see kids bouncing from home to home like that.

I have no issue with some of my taxes going into foster families to help the kids. I'd rather than than some politician's retirement fund.

Jennifer L

I'm sure that like in everything, there a few bad apples. But no, I don't think it's the majority of foster parents, or even a big chunk.

jellybeans

Im sorry to say that my foster parents said they took me in for me...and not for the money. Now we are always fighting and they told me to find a differnt place to go. Today they did

most of the ones i knew yes that is the idea i got.Dome were brilliant,but would they do it if there was no money in it? (apart for food and clothing the children)?
NO

all aboard brenda

I think people foster for altruistic reasons but then when the gloss wears off or they aren't as appreciated as they would like it becomes a job.

I don't think they neglect the children but they certainly don't go out of their way for the kids. For example their own children will have swimming lessons but the foster kid gets to watch. Or they wait for public health care to fix the kids teeth, when they would take their own children to a private dentist every six months.

If the foster kid is fairly compliant and doesn't cause too many problems they will probably hang on to them as long as possible. It's when things get challenging or inconvenient that they move them on.

So yes I do think some people are staying in the system for the money.

Randy B

One can never speak in absolutes when it comes to subjects such as this so I certainly do think that there are some foster parents who do it for the money. At the same time however I'm sure that they very quickly realize that it's not a money making venture in any way. For those who try to make it so, the system will eventually catch up with them and they will be removed from the program. Hopefully sooner rather then later.

I've asked our support worker about that and while she will not speak directly about it she has told me that she has removed children from foster homes because she suspected that the foster parents were "scrimping" on the care and/or making frivolous requests for funds that she felt were not required. She's also called for second opinion tests and exams when she's suspected foster parents have tried to claim that the child had additions needs that require additional funding.

In the end I feel the ability of foster parents, or anyone, to abuse the system is inversely proportional to the amount of oversight the Department is able to have. The more workers can work with the families and oversee the care of the children the better the children's interests are protected in all ways.

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