[graciej]

I have a question . . . if the foster child was receiving WIC while with the biological parent, should they continue to receive it while in foster care? We just had a 9 month old who we got very suddenly. She came with nothing, so we immediately spent nearly $100 buying clothing, formula, diapers, etc. Our county does not have clothing allowance, etc. We only receive $22 per day stipend. I work, so we have to pay infant daycare of $26.30per day (so, obviously the stipend doesn't even cover that). Foster children qualify for subsidized daycare, but there was a waiting list, so we couldn't get it right away. This little one only ended up staying with us nine days before returning home, but she was our first placement and I'm hoping to be more well-informed the next time around. Should we have been able to get WIC for her formula if she received it at home? We didn't get into fostering for the money, obviously, but we don't want to go broke doing it either. =)

[lazshay]

Although I'm in Texas, WIC is a federal program so maybe I can help. All foster children qualify for WIC no matter if they were recieving it before or not. All we did was make an appointment and take our placement papers. Sometimes getting the appointment takes a while, but they will give you a little formula if you ask.

[Barksum]

Our local WIC office was always very nice about getting us some emergency formula until we could get in for an appointment. If that didn't work out, we would ask the pediatrician's office if they had any samples. They often have cases of samples and were willing to give us some. (I usually have any new foster kids in to visit the dr for a once-over within the first couple of days after they are placed with me.)

We've even had bio parents willing to give the formula to the cw to give to us. So sometimes you can ask the cw to get it from the bio family. Some cw's were more willing to try than others; some bio families were more willing to give formula (or clothes, or whatever) than others.

[graciej]

Thanks for the info! I didn't know all foster children were eligible for WIC. We are new to this. We just had our first placement -- a 9 month old. We got nothing with her but a couple of empty bottles and a sippy cup. We had to buy soy formula, diapers, clothing, more bottles, etc. We also had to pay daycare because there's a waiting list for subsidized daycare. We spent a couple of hundred dollars before we were through. So, we were looking for any info that might help financially next time around. We're a little disheartened at how little information we actually received from the CYS agency. We're learning as we go.
Sandy

[paparent]

I am not sure how old your post was but there are so many ways to get help. I have actually gone to the Dr. and he wrote a perscription for diapers and Access pays for them because they are medically necessary. Wick also provides fresh food during the summer months. Many resale shops give vochers for free clothes for foster children. Many churches will donate formula. Keep all your daycare receipts for tax deductions.

[jbee]

for sure! our son's mom was in foster care with him and so she got it for him, when she ran off i got it for him. i am pretty sure all kids (i think under 5) that are in foster get it cause they have no income (when you fill out the form at the wic office)