Foster Children / Foster Parenting, in the state of Illinois?

Question

Hi all, I am the mother of a 17 month old little boy, and 5 months pregnant, and although most would say I'm crazy....I have always wanted to foster a small child. I know that I will need to be lic., background checked, home inspected...all those things..which can take up to 2 to 6 months....but I was just wondering if anyone can offer anymore info. than this...personal exp.? Adequate Compensation? etc....?? Thanks!

Answer 1

We got all geared up to do it, its really an area in our government that needs help.

Some many foster homes are so horribly over populated and crappy, the children are often abused or neglected. Honestly I think anyone who has space and desire and know-how should foster.

The compensation is adequate if your lifestyle is budgeted. If you're used to eating out every night, and buying your family designer clothes, then the money you recieve will only buffer that cost, not cover it.

They do however provide you with enough for food, the general cost of living, and the childs needs. I believe once a year in most states you recieve a check especially for clothes, and school supplies. Most school lunches are paid for by the state directly through the school, so theres no worry there.

We're in NY and the average monthly compensation for one child is about 450 dollars, if I remember right. Babies compensation includes allowences for diapers and formula.

There are many legalities involved. Things like, you cant take the child to the hair dresser because you notice a hair cut is needed. Or, you cannot leave a certain many miles from your home with the child without concent from the parents and/or the state.

But in the long run it is more than worth it.

You can google foster support groups in your area, there a wealth of knowledge on the subject. Also, just contact your local childrens services, and set up an interview to foster, they will cover SO many things with you, like compensation, how much cost you may incur on your own, what the children are like. Things like that.

You can actually choose the age of the child you foster, things like avoiding serious medical or emotional issues... theres always a two week trial period with any placement, so if for some reason the child just isnt adapting they can be moved to a better suited environment. Some people jsut dont mix, after all.

Its really difficult. These children arent just emotionally hurt, theyre emotionally scarred. The physcological toll on abused and neglected children makes them very difficult and often violent and obstenate. Its rare that the child you get expresses their pain as sadness and tears. Its usually expressed as hate and self preservation. And that takes a lot of patience, to realize its not a personal hate for you that the child has, but a fear of being neglected and abused.

They provide you with basic training on how to deal with that.

Answer 2

Monetary stipends for foster care never cover the cost of a child and it's a hassle to get reimbursement through the state of other services the child will need. If I recall right the max on stipends in Illinois is $450 per month per child. If you plan on taking a family members child then you do it because you love them and want them not for the money. Other options available for family members is guardianship. The state could grant you guardianship which mean you make all legal decision for them without the process of adoption and the state drops out of the picture. The could also consider giving you a stipend along with guardianship but this is something you'll probably have to fight for.