[jodyk]

Just wanted to put my 2 cents in on this.

First, when I first got my fs, I asked the cw about the money (which we all know isn't very much). She said it's to help defray the costs incurred by having a foster child, such as increased utility costs, more groceries, laundry, etc -- things you don't think of. On the check stubs, it says "foster parent pay"; there's nothing that stipulates that this money "belongs" to the child. Although, it is because of the money that I can keep him in a good day care (I have a very high co-pay); after that's paid for, about all that's left is enough for diapers & maybe a couple "extras".

Second, the only things we're obligated to send along with them is whatever is bought with the agency's money, namely clothes.

When my fs was sent back to his mother, I sent at least 35 outfits (many unworn, because I'd made a point of spending the last clothing allowance before he left, but I left tags on the clothes in case the mother hated them & wanted to exchange them [she couldn't have gotten cash because I didn't give her the receipts -- those go to the agency anyhow]), lots of toys, & some of his favorite books, and I used up the WIC coupons that day to provide them with some groceries as well.

When my fs came back to me 4 months later, all he had were the clothes on his back -- and they were filthy. They wouldn't give me an emergency clothing allowance because it was less than a year since he'd left care, and I missed the spring clothing allowance disbursement period. And, their clothes closet didn't have a single article of clothing (except a pair or 2 of socks) that fit him. If it weren't for the clothes a friend gave me & some I'd kept (that I'd paid for), I'd have had to buy all new clothes. And I was also glad that I kept some toys he was given, because none of those came back, either.

So yes, it's important to send the children off with some things to play with & to wear, but I now know to be careful of sending off everything, as they may never get a chance to use it & if you don't keep some of it, you won't either.