[specialcricket]

My FS's are sceduled to go to respite care on the 20th thru the 29th. My question is: what have you been expected to provide when your kids went and who has paid for it?

My CW is telling me I am expected to pay them my per diem for each child from my check AND provide diapers, wipes, food and formula. I don't have a problem with the formula since we get WIC, but the other comes from the check, that they will be getting while they have them. Plus, we still have to pay their daycare fees even though they won't be there. I am guessing I have to send bottles too. I am just concerned I won't get them back. That probably sounds silly, but I don't know these people.

The whole reason they are going is I am going out of town and it is too much for my husband to handle alone. Honestly, I am SO past ready for this to be over. They have been with us 5 months and I never expected it to be this long. What happened to short-term?

Thanks for your help in advance.

[Kate1129]

When I provided respite for another foster family, I only expected clothing and bottles, formula and baby food (if it was a baby). I never expected food (other then for babies) to be provided, that to me is part of respite. They come to my house and I take care of them.

Our State pays for respite I don't have to give the per diem that I get.

[bjhv5]

When we have done respite all we asked for was diapers,bottles and baby food for infants and for older kids just clothes and of course any meds if needed.

We get 12 days per year that we can take respite with out it coming out of our check.

[specialcricket]

What states are you in? I am in TN. Just wonder how it varies from state to state about respite pay.

[mom2GRLC]

I think it varies depending on the socail worker they have.

Sometimes I'd be asked to provide daipers and practically Everything during that time....the subsidy automatically got switched over to them during that time so I wasn't responcible for paying them anything.

Other times I have just sent clothes and a diaper bag with a few supplies and some WIC-formula.

The truth is most of the time you won't get everything back so don't send your best stuff...or bottles that belong to a set or anything like that. I usually write them a note telling them about the child the doctor medicaid #, social workers number, my cell Number etc.. then also provide them a list of everything i sent and ask for them to return it...in a very friendly way. On the times I have made the list my stuff did come back....other times....nope....we had a bunch of stuff missing!!!

[PAmomof1]

I've done respite a few times for other families. Once was for a baby. The foster mom sent meds, diapers, bottles and formula. She also sent clothing.

Last week I provided respite for a six year old who might be coming back permanently and the foster mother only sent some clothes (not enough socks or pj's) no hair supplies (bi-racial female) no tooth brush.

Both times that I provided respite I was very dissapointed in what the fp's sent. The clothes were too small and old and they just didn't send the basics IMO. I don't mind providing food etc. I feel that's my job.

I needed respite for my fd one time. She was around 9-10 mos at the time. I'm sure I over packed. I didn't send her BEST stuff. But I didn't send old, too small, outdated stuff either. Who knows if the family had to go somewhere like out to dinner or to a function. I didn't get mad when stuff didn't come back either. I know sometimes it gets difficult to keep up with things.

Truthfully, I lose things in my own home LOL.

[rtsmedley]

here in Co, we have to pay the other family out of our stipend, based on our per day rate.

I think you should sent the things they need. Diapers, formula, clothes, bottles, etc. They are getting paid to care for your kids and should not have to use the little money they get to buy supplies.

I put a list in their bag of EVERYTHING that I sent along. I also send a schedule if they are nappers. I write something like -- I know with little ones, things cen get placed around the house, so I included a list of the things I sent, so it will make it easier for you when they come back to us.

[jstodd01]

Have you talked to the family that is doing the respite? they may have bottles and only require formula and food. I put mine in respite for an emergency sugery I had and sent extra money for babyfood as I had intended to go to the store and hadn't made it yet. And of course diapes wipes and clothes. 9 days isn't very long and you shouldn't worry about getting them back. I like to think we all do respite once in a while. I am planning a weekend for myself soon.Good luck

[Withay]

that I share respite and occassional babysitting with.

Right now I have their 4 week old (31 week preemie) fs here for 2 weeks. They sent a diaper bag (large) full of diapers and another one with clothing. They also sent his special formula.

With this family we don't pay the per diem to each other. We figure that it all works out in the end anyway. Our certifier and the caseworkers are aware that we work it this way.

They borrowed my portable swing and fold up infant bed (folds to 15" x 15" x 4") for their 2 month old fd that they were able to get permission to take.

When I go on vacation in the summer they will provide respite care for me. I love having one family that I know who is willing to do respite care trading with.

Likewise, if one of us has a doctor appointment, or anything else (even just needing an afternoon off) the other one takes all the kids. We do a lot of things together so all our kids know each other and they transition back and forth very easily.

I mostly foster medically fragile infants and they foster up to age 6, including some medically fragile infants. This arrangement works well for all concerned.

Blessings,
Lynda

[Schnider1]

me to do Respite care for a sibling set of 4 girls ages 6,7,8 & 12 for 3 days later this week. The other foster care provider has to pay me out of her foster care check. She is bringing clothing, and meds and I'm providing all the food. I will get a total of $150. They go to school all day long on Thurs and Fri. They get breakfast and lunch at school so I only have to feed them 3 meals and then snacks. I already have 3 children in the home...2 fd's and 1 bio d so I'll have 7. That's a load! It's only for a few days though so I know I can handle it and, at least, I got notice. With the other sibling group I got I only had 30 minutes notice and there were 4 of them as well. There was not enough food in the house to feed them supper so we had to order pizza.

[Happy123]

Some states will assist w/ respite. I never had a CW offer to pay for it. I paid a daily rate. I think they feel since I do not have the children, I do not need their daily allottment.

Have you spoke to the CW about looking for funds to pay for their respite care since you have to pay their day care spots?
Happy123

[Mel in NEPA]

When I have done respite (in PA for a private agency), I got paid the regular rate directly from the agency. Because I didn't have *any* baby items, the fmom sent me everthing, diapers, formula, bottles, brush etc. I was very careful to send everything back, but I did end up misplacing a sock or a bottle cap. When I have respited older children, I was only sent their clothing and toiletries.

The one time I did respite, the children went on an overnight with their birthmom to attend a wedding. Mom sent the kids back with no shoes. She said things got too hectic with the wedding and she forgot them.. sheesh I had to go out and buy them new shoes since they didn't have any others (I think the girl had cloth sandals, and the boy had only water shoes.. Mom left the sneaks). I requested reimbursement, the agency wouldn't do it since they were with me 17 days, and they considered it part of the clothing allowance. I thought that was a rip off. Anyway...

[PAmomof1]

Oh I forgot to say that when I needed respite I sent the check with my foster daughter.

The first time I provided respite I was paid the next month and it was included in the board payment.

This last time I provided respite, the foster parent was supposed to pay me directly before she left and I haven't gotten the money yet.

[Luvbeingmommy]

I am in New Mexico and we are allowed 4 days per month for respite. We receive our regular monthly stipend and the state pays the provider $25.00 per child per day for the respite. I used to do respite quite regularly. Some of the foster parents here use the four days every month just to have a break from the kids!

My adopted daughter (from foster care) never went to respite and the oldest of my two foster to adopt boys spent maybe 2 days in respite when the baby was in the hospital with respiratory problems.

We also just sent the basics - diapers, wipes, clothes, toiletries, medicines. The foster mother was a friend of mine, so I knew I would get everything back.

Darla