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Foster Care
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Who are the children who need a foster family?
Families are needed for all children but especially children who belong to a sibling group and children with special medical needs.
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Is a single person able to be a foster parent?
Yes. Foster parents can be single, married in a domestic partnership or a civil union. CP&P will not preclude a person from being a foster parent based solely on their culture, religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, affectional orientation, or marital/civil union or domestic partnership status. The important thing is their willingness and ability to parent.
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Is a foster parent able to hold a job?
Yes, foster parents are able to be employed outside the home. In fact, CP&P may provide child care for your children in care while you are at work.
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How many children may I care for?
This is determined for each family during the licensing process. However, foster homes are not approved for more than four children.
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What does the licensing process consist of?
The licensing process includes nine weekly training sessions, each of which is three hours; a home evaluation; reference checks (medical, employment, personal); criminal history checks (including fingerprinting and local police checks); and a life safety home inspection. The licensing process usually is completed within five months.
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Once a child is placed with me, how long will he/she stay?
Foster care is considered temporary and short term. A child in care may stay only a few days or several months, depending on the child's family situation.
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What happens when the child returns home?
A child’s return home is generally a planned activity, allowing the foster parent the opportunity to participate in the planning and to say good-bye to the child. This can be a difficult time, but the child’s return home represents a success. Returning home is the goal for most children in care.
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Are there board rates for foster care?
Yes. Monthly board rates start at $713 and vary depending on the age of the child. These rates may be higher if you are expected to spend additional time caring for the child as a result of extraordinary emotional or physical needs. The child’s caseworker will evaluate this with you and determine whether you are eligible for higher board rates.
The board payment is made to assist a foster family in providing food, shelter, transportation and entertainment for the child in care. A clothing allowance is added to the board rate.
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When will I receive a board check?
Board payments are made on a monthly basis, no later than ten working days after the end of the month, i.e., the board check for January would be issued no later than the tenth working day of February.
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How are the costs of the child's health care paid?
Children in care are covered by Medicaid, which covers all necessary care and treatment.
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