[auntydoll]

Hi,

Im new here. I actually grew up in the system and was placed with my sister from the age of 12 until I graduated. I had been in a foster home a for a few years before that.

Now I am the foster parent. My brother and his wife got CPS called on them on a count of their 2 year old daughter. The house is just in shambles, I mean desgusting and unsafe, so when CPS came to look, they wanted to take their daughter. My SIL flipped out and drove off with her, they threatened Amber alerts and such, and came to me. I convinced her to turn herself in, and she convinced them to place her daughter with me. I have two young kids of my own, so now I have a 1, 2, and a 3 year old in my house.

Basically, we have her for a while because her court date didnt go well the other day, and I will keep her here as long as possible to prevent her from being put with strangers, but my husband and I are fairly young, and quite poor, and basically arent financially preparred for this. I am in CA, and I was wondering if anyone knows how exactly I go about making her an official foster child, so that I can get some financial help here, or how long she has to be here in order for me to get help. So far it looks like a month, but it could be longer.

We have room in our home and hearts for this girl, and I hope that her mom can get things together so that everything can go back to normal...except the house and all, I want that to change, but in the mean time, I dont know what to do financially. Both parents dont work, I think they collect food stamps or some other kind of aid, but Im not really comfortable with taking that.

If anyone has any advice or suggestions, I would really appreciate it. This is tough, but we are doing the best that we can.

[cgreagor]

Good luck! I am not sure on CA but Oregon does not help with kinship foster parents. I have my 13 month old cousin and the State pays for nothing but medical insurance. They were "nice" enough to give us 125.00 for a emergancy clothing fund since they took him from his drug home with nothing. We have applied for something called a non-needy grant and that pays 160 a month. Plus WICA for some help on food.
Very frustrating (I also have a Kinship thread if you want to look) because we want this little boy so bad but we have 3 kids (4,6 & 8) so having a one year old in our house is a big change. The ** is also due in 1.5 months with a baby girl that may be placed with us. In my opinion it is a easy way for the State to save money and claim that there is no money to give to relatives that take in the children.
I would say ask around. Our SW wasn't very helpful in giving us advice to find the money. Oregon does not even help out with day care! UGh!
Christy

[jackiesbooks]

I know nothing about kinship, but with 3 kids under 3, check into WIC.
They will help with milk, cheese,cereal juice - etc! It is only a little, but it will help.

[MamaS]

You have a good and loving heart! I hope everything works out for your family -- all of it. I know nothing about California, but in Georgia a kinship placement gets a one-time grant of $125 if you jump through all the hoops and apply for it. Takes about 2-3 months to come through.
Maybe you could find other sources -- a church ministry or local charity. It's harder to take than to give, but it is for the children -- not for you.

[mommyto9]

In Indiana, if relatives go through the foster care training they receive the same per diem as foster parents. Which since April 1 is $25.00 a day. I would contact a cw and see what info they can give you. I know that for people who take guardianship there are different types of funding they can check into. TANF, food stamps, etc. I don't know a lot about these but any local DCS or welfare agency should be able to help you.