Blog Highlights:
- State government entities (Department of Child Safety (DCS), Department Economic Security (DES), AHCCCS) cover many of the costs associated with raising children in foster care.
- While foster parents do receive a stipend for the care of a child, that stipend is intended to cover some of the costs associated with care and the child’s needs — not as payment for the foster parents.
- Many programs and organizations step into the gap to offset expenses, providing additional support that can help families foster without having to worry about the costs.
Many families are interested in fostering, but they are worried about potential costs. Raising a child in Arizona costs more than $24,000 per year, on average–and that cost grows when you consider adding multiple children to the home. However, in many cases, fostering a child may cost less than you think.
The Short Answer: What Does It Cost to Be a Foster Parent?
Becoming a foster parent isn’t expensive. DCS covers most licensing and training costs, so foster parents do not have to pay out of pocket before they can begin welcoming children into their homes. While private adoption often entails massive agency fees and other unexpected costs, fostering does not carry the same potential fees.
Do You Get Paid to Foster Kids? Understanding Stipends
In Arizona, foster parents receive a stipend to help care for the children in their home. This stipend, also known as a monthly reimbursement, is not income for the foster parents; rather, it is intended to cover the child’s food, clothing, and their personal expenses. The amount given depends on several factors, including the child’s age and any special needs or circumstances.
How Much Do Foster Parents Receive as a Monthly Stipend in AZ?
Arizona sets specific rates for how much the state will pay as a stipend when a child is in DCS care. The stipend is issued based on the number of days a child is in the home over the course of the month and begins on the first day care is provided, and includes funds for the daily rate, a daily clothing allowance, and a daily personal allowance. Rates can depend on whether the child is placed in kinship care with an unlicensed caregiver or a licensed foster care provider.
Standard Foster Care Placement Stipend
- 0-12 months: $24.94/day
- 1-2 years: $22.64/day
- 3-5 years: $20.94/day
- 6-11 years: $31.76/day
- 12-18+ years: $44.21/day
Low to Moderate Special Needs Placement Stipend
- 0-12 months: $28.78/day
- 1-2 years: $26.48/day
- 3-5 years: $24.78/day
- 6-11 years: $37.52/day
- 12-18+ years: $47.58/day
High Special Needs Placement Stipend
- 0-12 months: $35.20/day
- 1-2 years: $32.90/day
- 3-5 years: $31.20/day
- 6-11 years: $47.15/day
- 12-18+ years: $59.61/day
Medically Complex Placement Stipend
- 0-12 months: $41.01/day
- 1-2 years: $38.71/day
- 3-5 years: $37.01/day
- 6-11 years: $55.87/day
- 12-18+ years: $70.52/day
Upfront Costs vs. Reimbursements: What to Expect
While the state aims to help with many of the costs of fostering, there may be some out-of-pocket costs, especially in the early days. Consider factors like:
- Preparing a bedroom and a safe space for the child Organizations like Foster Alliance and Boost A Foster Family have resources to help provide these requirements. (put the links to both orgs in the content)
- Purchasing safety items (like a fire extinguisher). Organizations like Foster Alliance and Boost A Foster Family have resources to help provide these requirements. (put the links to both orgs in the content)
- Making the home safe (installing or fixing fences, etc.). Boost a Foster Family and Child Crisis Arizona have resources to help provide these requirements. (put the links to both orgs in the content)
Many of these costs will come up well before the first stipend payment arrives. However, some non-recurring expenses may have additional funding available by DCS (ex: annual clothing allowance etc.). If you have any questions about what the state might cover, always ask the child’s case manager.
Bridging the Gap: How AFFCF Helps with “Extra” Costs
While state stipends are provided to cover a child’s basic necessities, they rarely cover items such as prom, athletic fees, or music lessons. These things, however, are critical to a child’s overall well-being and positive outcomes during and following their time in care. That’s where Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation steps in. Our programs provide support for those important experiences, ensuring that cost isn’t a barrier to a child’s happiness.
Are you interested in partnering with us as we improve the quality of life for children in foster care? Donate today to help support these programs for children and youth in and aging out of foster care in Arizona.
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