[embuck]

Is there something you can sign up for, like WIC, that a foster child is eligable for as far as day care reimbursement? Like government assisted daycare monies? I asked our agency and they said I had to get with CPS but CPS is so dang hard to get ahold of I wanted to see if someone had some experience with this or had done it before. My MIL watches our FD during the week but I was looking into possibly of putting her in day care two days out of the week to socialize with other kids and wanted to look for some assitance with this and if we are eligable.

Does anyone know?

We live in Texas.

[greenrobin]

There is something called CCS here in TX. They provide $$$ to pay for daycare if all of the adults in the home work a full week or go to school full time. They don't assist with less than that. The CPS worker has to fill out the request. It comes through the county from which the kids are placed and goes directly to the daycare. It has to be renewed every quarter and not every daycare accepts it. It can take as much as 1 month to kick in and back dates to the date on the form.

The problem is that if the cw lets it slip and doesn't renew, then you owe daycare. CCS will not reimburse any expenses. So, we found ourselves with a daycare bill for roughly $1800 one quarter. For whatever reason, the provider decided not to tell us until we were well into the $1000 range. Since both of us teach, we couldn't very well just not take them!

One other problem is that sometimes the funding runs out before your need does. We've been lucky with that.

You may have to search to find a good place that accepts the funding since it requires lots of stuff to be in compliance. But, it really is worth the hassle.

Call your cw. S/he's the only one who can help you on this.

[embuck]

My CPS worker is super bad about communication to the 10th degree and I supsect a little evil. lol

But if she is the only way to go on this then I have no choice. Thanks for the information. I really appreciate it. Not even my clinician could tell me in such detail.

[Boulderbabe]

In our county, every foster kid qualifies for CCCAP, which is a voucher for free daycare, as long as daycare is educationally appropriate for the child. My son's daycare was paid for entirely until after termination of parental rights. Two of my foster daughters had it the entire time they were with me.

It's a huge help. I hope your agency can help you get it!

[KT08]

[My son's daycare was paid for entirely until after termination of parental rights.

Yikes, what happens during the months between TPR and adoption??? That can take a year or longer in my county. Who pays for daycare then?

I was under the impression that DSS paid until adoption, then my responsibility. I could be wrong about that though.

DSS pays entirely for my fs' daycare now, a fabulous facility on-site on my employer. Daycare expenses are nearly double my monthly stipend, so I definitely hope DSS will continue to pay between TPR and adoption.

[Boulderbabe]

I think it depends on your county. In ours, once the child has been formally placed for adoption, daycare is your responsibility. So once the child is legally free and in your home, it's up to you.

But like I say, that's our county. Check with your agency.

[embuck]

SO is it CCS OR CCCAP? I emailed my CPS worker and she said I had to get with agency. Agency says CPS worker! I am so confused! I really only need it a couple of days during the week but no one will tell me what I need to do. I think I confused the CPS worker because I said it was for day care play date on Fridays, which is what her CASA worker called it so I thought we were all on the same page. UGH!

Also what about WIC? Can I just go to the WIC office and sign up or do I need CPS involved too?

Thanks!

[Withay]

SO is it CCS OR CCCAP?

I could be either, or neither. It all depends on where you are. Some states use CPS (Childrens Protective Services) others use DHS (Dept of Human Services) still others might use CFS (Children, Family Services), but they are all the same department, just different names.

I know that where I am the name seems to change every 5 - 10 years. Makes it confusing, but it is still the same state agency.

Also what about WIC? Can I just go to the WIC office and sign up or do I need CPS involved too?

Where I am all I need to have to get WIC for a foster child is their placement paper. I simply take it in and can get them signed up at that time.

Good luck

[embuck]

Do you know if it matters if they have already been signed up for WIC or can they tell that in the system? I don't know what the previous foster parent had.

[KT08]

Where I live WIC and CPS are completely separate agencies and handle different things for foster children. One agency can't help you with the other.

In my county, applying for either takes awhile, esp WIC. The WIC waiting list is many weeks long. It took us 3 months for initial appt, then have to go back every 3 months to get additional checks. Each appt takes 4 - 5hours waiting time. Not worth it for me unless I have an infant. Then I will endure the bureaucracy because formula is so expensive.

In my county, CPS (daycare services) are much easier to get and keep. No sitting around a waiting room for hours and quick turn-around time. Easy to get worker on the phone etc. Getting the initial paperwork, though, took about 3 weeks and DSS did not reimburse me for my childcare expenses for those 3 weeks.

Your county may be different. I hope so!

[KT08]

[Do you know if it matters if they have already been signed up for WIC or can they tell that in the system?

If the child previously had WIC, then, yes, he should be in the state database and the process should be a lot shorter to get the 1st appt/1st checks. In fact, if child had WIC previously and former foster parent had a scheduled appt coming up, then you should be able to get that appt slot.

If not and you have an infant, you can ask your agency to give you a can of formula or to give you a voucher for one. My agency doesn't do this, but some do. Also, you can check CraigsList. In my county, there are often free cans (unopened) posted.

[embuck]

Our FD is 15 months so we don't need formula anymore. But juice and milk would be nice to get help with.

Thanks for your answers. I would just assume since she was taken into care as an infant her previous FP would have had her signed up. She did not leave his home in good terms so I hate to bother him with such questions.

Thanks for your help.

I am now emailing CPS to see if we can get assistance with daycare. Here it is called NCI. We really only need it 2 days a weeks since our MIL watches her during the week. I just thought the other child interaction would be a nice chance to grow for her but wasn't sure if we were eligable.

[greenrobin]

Good detective work, finding out what it's called!

Here, WIC sees the kids pretty quickly. Not only do you get milk and juice, but also cereal, and peanut butter or beans, eggs. Foster kids are automatically eligible until age 5. It really helps, especially when you have a bunch of kids.