Clothing Allowance for new foster children

I'll be starting foster parenting classes next week (with hopes of ultimately adopting again). I'm so glad these boards are here to give me a clue into the experiences of other foster parents. I know the initial clothing allowance isn't much and a lot of the kids' needs come from foster parents' own pockets. I just thought to suggest, in addition to garage sales, Salvation Army usually has days when clothing is 50% off. Usually, it's done by the color of the tag. Goodwill also has some wonderful deals on children's clothing, too. We just purchased an L. L. Bean winter coat for 7.00 for my son. If you ask the staff the sale rotation, you could probably find some bargains. If you have children of your own, perhaps other parents might be interested in donating their gently used children's clothing to keep a "clothes bank" in a closet or in the basement? Perhaps asking members of your church to bring in any out-grown children's clothing? My son's preschool requested donations for the less-fortunate families they served twice a year. It worked out quite well. The teacher's would place all the donations in boxes (that kind copier paper comes in) in the hallways for moms/dads to look through. Another idea, look in the newspaper for yards sales, noting which has children's clothing available. Usually, not all the stuff sells and the owner is stuck with stuff they wanted to get rid of. You might phone that person ahead of time and ask, in exchange for hauling to Goodwill or for a modest fee, take the leftovers off their hands? You can then take what you need and perhaps pass on the other stuff to other foster parents, a crisis pregnancy center, or third world donation center. Another suggestion (this is from a frugal moms' board), ask at Goodwill, Salvation Army, or your local thrift store if there's baby any items they don't put out that can be purchased in bulk. Often, these are somewhat stained, but can usually be cleaned. A friend of mine, with many foster babies, did this. She was able to get a bag of onsies, drawstring gowns, t shirts, blankets and such for free from a moms' sale at her local community center. She took all the white items and soaked them for three days in GOJO, scrubbed them, and washed them in a bit of dishwasher detergent. They came out very clean and looking quite nice. The other items she soaked in Zout for several days and used Fels Naptha to wash them. She then washed everything again in regular detergent. It was a bit of work, but the effort paid off. Afterward, she used them for the little ones under their clothing, or only at home where she's not worried about the children getting messy. She keeps the very nice clothing for visits with parents, social workers and such. All the kids are very clean, she just doesn't always buy them ALL NEW stuff all the time. Best of luck with fostering! I'm excited about beginning training!

Yes, we filed on our taxes last year for our fd who has been here since her birth 2 1/2 years ago. They do qualify as a dependant just like a step child, or in law does. Go to the IRS website . There is info that can be found there. We went to a popular tax preparer and they were not aware that we could do this. Luckily, I took the print out from the IRS site.

You know, this makes me very sad. My husband and I are going to adopt a child out of foster care, but let me share a story with you, that will make you sad, or angry one. A few years ago, I worked as a secretary in my local school system, at the Middle School. We had a child come in, who was just placed in foster care. His mom had died, and he was living with his grandmother, and then she died, hence the foster home. Christmas time rolled around. We were all talking about something they do annually. A Christmas for a needy child in the school. So, we were tossing up our opinions for who it would be. Knowing the foster child that came in, I said "why don't we do that for him?" The response was "oh, his foster parents make bucket loads off of him, he definitely won't need our help". How's that for crappy? Kristi:(

I wish I maid that much then i could stay home with my kids lol lol that is always worth a good lol so many people thank we just get $$$$$$ We spend over what we get lots over im still lol lol lol amanda

You can only claim a fc on your taxes if you have had them in your home from Jan 1 to Dec 31 AND can prove you've provided more than have his care. So if you get $300 a month subsidy, you must prove you have spent that money, plus $301 per month.

Riley6, YOu are correct in that. After I posted that info . BOY did my husband correct my FO PAH!!!! SOrry, about that. AS for the money foster parents recieve. I explain it like this. We get approx $100.00 a week (less if there are 5 weeks , about $17.00 a day) . Daycares and individuals that watch children out of their homes charge that much around here for each child. They send those children home after 6pm. Most times the children have foods and meals sent from home too. We are expected to pay for housing, electircity, clothes, toys, food, and babysitting 24/7 out of this little bit of money. This money simply is given so that foster parents don't experience a financial hardship for raising these babies. My husband and I would do it without a penny, but the money does help us buy our foster babies clothes and toys just as we do for our own bio children. After 10 years of infertility, we feel so totally blessed to have these babies here with us, if even for a little while. MAry

Like others have said, it depends. In Calif. if this is their first placement you will get one but it will take 4-6 wks. If it not their first placement then the placement worker will be able to file an emergency clothing allowance which may or may not be granted depending on when the last allowance was issued. Also, if you are working with a Foster Family Agency the County is reluctant to issue any additional funds. They expect the agency to help. County homes get an annual allowance of about $150.

Where I am, Oregon, we usually get a voucher for clothing, if it is the child's first placement. This is for a maximum of $125 and you generally get it within 48 hours of placement. Sometimes, the voucher is for less if it is presumed that the child will be in care for awhile. This is to allow for an additional voucher when the child outgrows the clothing from the initial one. You let the caseworker know which store, from a list, that you want the voucher for. At the store, I find that if I carry a calculator and enter the maximum amount of that voucher in and subtract each item it works very well. I can usually get 11 complete outfits, with socks, onsies, etc. for $125 by watching what I get. (This is assuming that the child is less than 1 year of age). In any case, I keep a 'stash' of clothing in each size up to 18 months at home that I can use from to supplement the voucher. I rarely purchase pj's with the voucher unless I know that the child will be with me less than 2 months because I have a great stash of them at home and would rather get things the child can wear during the day and to church. I do have a few things for children up to size 4, but try to limit it because I mostly get babies under 1 year - 4 newborns since 05/20 of this year.:D L

In Arkansas, every child gets an initial clothing voucher about $75 dollars worth. We usually get the voucher within one -two weeks. Until then we use what ever we have at home. I keep a couple outfits of several different sizes on hand from clothes other kids have out grown...or clothes i have bought here or there. The assesmnet worker who opens the case is usually the one who buys them for the children. Any money I spend is completely out of my pocket.. they will not reimburse you for clothing...shoes...diapers ..food ....etc. If i have to buy medicine or formula then i have been reimbursed in the passed. Every state is different...so find out what is common for your area. DO not expect to get reimbursed it probably won't happen .....or it may be a very long time before you get your money.

Every time (we live in WA) we recieve a foster child i ask for a clothing voucher, and as to date have never been told no. I guess every state or should i say social worker is different.

Just wondering - what about child care? I read in NC they receive about $350 a month for 0-5 year olds ... does the state ususally help with child care when needed or is that on you as well? If so, that amount alone wouldn't cover what it would cost to have the child in pre-school, etc. Just wondering what to expect, thanks

In KY the state pays for daycare for the kids. We also get a min. daily rate of $19.70/child/day up to age 12 then $22.70. I'm a medically fragile home and that rate is $37/day. If it's a child's first time in care we get a clothing allowance (usually the day after placement). I can't remember the exact amount but I think it was $100 (we got babies that time). We now have a teenage fs and we also get $100 every August for school clothes. While this is much better than some state, the initial clothing allowance didn't scratch the surface to defray our costs to bring 2 babies into our home. We were able to pick them up at 4 pm and had NOTHING for babies (our kids were teenagers). My dh and friend went shopping that night and spent almost $2,000 which we will never get back. We just take it as the cost to be a foster parent. Many feel they should get that money back but we were told in the classes it was our responsibility to provide everything needed. Your child's social worker has contacts and can find people to loan you a car seat for a little while until you can purchase one. They are able to get a lot of things you need. Ask for their help. Michelle

thanks for the info. My husband & I are trying to decide if/when/how we want another child. I never thought fostering would be somethign I would be interested in - but I am now more open to it. I really need to do my research at this point. We have a 4 year old and we are most concerned about him & how he might handle it all - explaining to him, etc. We both work full time & wonder if we'd be able to handle the uncertainties of how long the child would be with us, etc. We would be open to having only 1 child at a time, and under the age of three. Now, how do you explain all that to a 4 year old =) Monika

Keeping the fc younger than your son is a great idea. He may like having a playmate! you'll work it out. Michelle

I'm in NC, and they will pay for daycare for a fosterchild. Finding space in one is the biggest issue for us... Fostercare is FULL of uncertainties. When we get a child, we always tell our kids that we are a safe home for this child for awhile.