Reply #178: that's 50 a day -

[mzteris]

not $400!!

Feed, clothe, shelter, water, utilities, transportation, school supplies, extra-curricular activities, toiletries, miscellaneous fees and spending - it really doesn't go that far per child.


It's true that some people make a "job" out of being a foster. There are terrible people out there who are fosters for all the wrong reasons. Hopefully the grossly-over-worked Social workers can weed them out. But frankly, if they're doing an adequate job of providing a safe, clean environment - then SServices isn't going to look too hard at the motivation of the people doing the care-taking.

All the more reason for good people to sign up to be foster parents. It's a hard and mostly thankless job. There's a mind-numbing amount of bs and red-tape and ridiculous regulations and rules. There are children so damaged that you cry every single day for them. There are children so damaged that you're relieved when they leave because it's been so hard on everyone else in the house. (and then feel guilty about feeling relieved). You spend the rest of your life wondering what happened to that child you loved and cared for and you will probably never know.

Foster parents *may* get food stamps or WIC vouchers depending on the circumstances of the child(ren). If the kid's parents qualify, then the foster qualifies. And believe me, while they come in handy - what you're allowed to buy on them is pretty ridiculous, too.

Yeah - I got the "look" from people when I used FS or vouchers and went out and got into my new van. Of course being in the South - I got plenty of "looks" for all those LBK's (litle black kids) and I was white. :nuke: I hate racist assholes. Especially the religious ones who looked at me with disgust when they thought they were "my kids" - and "god blessed me" when they found out they were fosters.