[katiad]

So, I'm in the process of getting licensed for foster care, ages 0-2 (considering upping to 0-4). I've been informed by a friend of a friend that MT doesn't provide a daycare subsidy of any sort (though that remains to be seen, as I haven't yet talked to my CW yet - maybe this person doesn't qualify because they're already a SAHM?). This is a bit of trouble, as I work full time and it appears the monthly stipend isn't enough to cover the area's typical daycare costs - and I am just making ends meet as it is.

Single parents - how do you manage??? *lol* I could use some tips, seriously - financial and otherwise!

[BethanyB]

They do not give daycare subsidies to SAHM's. That just would not make sense. I'm sure your state must have a subsidy for childcare for those working or going to school full time. Ask your SW about it.

I am a single mom and I fostered my children before adopting them and I totally got a childcare subsidy. Ask your SW.

[cvalda]

If you are working full time, I don't know why they wouldn't provide day care costs! It's the SAHM's that wouldn't get the coverage!

I'm a single adoptive & foster mom... when I started fostering, I was doing in-home daycare. Therefore I was able to keep most of my foster kids at home with me, however I had one that I "needed" a little break from during the day so I signed him up for daycare out of my home, and the State covered it!

[stevenstwin]

Originally Posted by cvalda

If you are working full time, I don't know why they wouldn't provide day care costs! It's the SAHM's that wouldn't get the coverage!

I'm a single adoptive & foster mom... when I started fostering, I was doing in-home daycare. Therefore I was able to keep most of my foster kids at home with me, however I had one that I "needed" a little break from during the day so I signed him up for daycare out of my home, and the State covered it!

I think I HAVE heard on this board that some states don't cover daycare - I hope that is not the case where you live! But if it is, would you consider an older (school age) child? You might find that it is somewhat hard to get an infant if you need to use daycare, as I know that some SW's don't want to place a baby in that situation. In SOME cases (maybe a lot of them) it does make sense, due to the risk of furthering attachment disorders in an already traumatized child.

[txwannabemom]

I am a single adoptive mom in TX. Daycare can be unclear here too. The work from home mom I know does not qualify for her foster children. That there was no direct :yes you do or no you don't: was one of the reasons I knew my age reange was 4-8. I adopted a just turned 7 yr old.

[JackieN]

I'm in California and in the same situation. California does not provide a daycare subsidy and the normal subsidy doesn't even come close to covering a young child's daycare costs. I go over my budget daily trying to figure out what expenses can be cut and I am racking my brain trying to find a way to bring in some extra money from home. I am looking to adopt, so I'll make any sacrifice necessary to make this happen, but for the first time in my life, money is going to be TIGHT and it is stressing me out!

California does have a program called Child Action that helps with daycare costs for low income families. Foster children automatically qualify because they only count the child's subsidy as income; however, there are not enough funds to cover everyone so the waiting list is very LONG. I'm going to apply as soon as I get a placement, but I'm not holding out hope for help anytime soon. Once I finalize an adoption I'll no longer qualify because I make too much.

Maybe your state has a similar program that you can apply for and maybe its waiting list isn't as long.

[irelady10]

Goodness- I feel very lucky that the state I live in has a daycare subsidy program for foster kids; and, if you adopt a child from foster care, the daycare subsidy can continue until they turn school-age. I'm doubly blessed, too: the owners of my child's daycare are foster parents and they accept the subsidy as payment-in-full each month (there is about a $50 difference between the subsidy and the monthly tuition.) As a single mom, this is a HUGE help to me!

[Socal_mama]

I am a single foster/adopt parent, I live in California, and they DO cover my daycare.. But ONLY while the child is a foster child, once you adopt, then they stop covering you.. You can attempt to qualify though on your own income before they drop you.. being a single parent, with 2 or more kids, you actually may qualify.. also, they only pay for a certain amount, so shop around or you'll have to pay a "family fee" for the difference. I don't know where you live, but keep asking, and asking, and asking because sometimes they don't tell you about the childcare, as they would like you to stay home, and there is a LOT of paperwork for them..
Good Luck!

[BethanyB]

I am in New Jersey and I did not have a hard time getting a young child placed with me as a single working mom. In fact I was only licenced four days before I got the call for my newborn son. I was off for the summer as I was a teacher and he had no problems attaching to me even though he was in daycare five days a week.

The subsidy here does continue after adoption until the child is school aged. The problem is that the subsidy does not come close to covering the cost of daycare here in NJ. My DD's current daycare charges 850 for her at four years old. I think they charge 1200 for infants there. The subsidy is only 575 or something like that but at least it's something.

A year after I brought my son home I was called for his newborn sister. I would not have been able to take her without the childcare subsidy so I can honestly say that it does help keep kids together.

[UTbrie]

Here in Ohio, there are so many budget cuts to JFS that there is no longer a daycare allowance. My agency doesn't provide it either. I am hoping that the child would qualify for reduced cost daycare since they are foster kids....but I don't have any placements yet right now. So I have a dad that is not working right now that is my backup plan till I can get that in place. Otherwise I will not be able to take kids younger than school age.

[hrisme]

Here in UT they do not provide any sort of daycare assistance on top of the monthly stipend, and are extremely unlikely to place a child who is not school aged in a home with working parents. I'm all in favor of this, for the most part, as I feel the kids need the stability of one caregiver as much as possible. Unfortunately, they also will not permit an individual to operate a family child care program if they have a foster child in the home--this is what removed me for the running. Doing child care from home would be the only way I could afford to stay home with a foster child. Thankfully, I've been able to move in with family members who were doing foster care (finalized this week!) & got all the benefits without nearly as much of the work--I don't think I could work all day & then come home to a high needs child!

[katiad]

Thanks for all the quick responses! I did get some clarification from another MT foster parent who agreed there is no daycare subsidy here. I did do some checking and found a scholarship, but I seem to be in that lower middle class bracket where I'm just a touch too "rich" for assistance, and too poor to pay without it. I would fall just a touch below the guidelines with two foster children rather than one, but I'm not so terribly confident in my yet untested parenting skills for that.