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U.S. NEWS Thursday 28 sepTember 2017

American Living:

For foster parents of disabled children, money stays tight

By MARIAH BROWN pleading, my kids need this,
Associated Press they need that,” Shine-King
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Like said.
most parents trying to make The old rates were “barely
ends meet, Vivian Shine- enough for three meals
King needs to get creative a day,” said Cynthia
sometimes. When she has Figueroa, Philadelphia hu-
to take her four children to man services commission-
doctor’s appointments, for er.
instance, she’ll make sure Of the nearly 6,000 children
multiple kids are booked at in Philadelphia’s foster care
the same clinic around the system, an estimated 900
same time, helping her to have disabilities. The extra
save on gas and parking. costs of their care make
But Shine-King isn’t your av- adoption less likely for chil-
erage parent. She is foster dren who will not be able
mother to four disabled to reunite with their biologi-
children and relies on gov- cal families, said Heather
ernment money to make Keafer, a city human ser-
sure they get what they vices spokeswoman.
need, including — crucially Finding permanent homes
— health care. for children with physical,
“Couple of times I’ve behavioral and mental dis-
had to park the car away abilities is crucial to their
and take the children in a In this July 28, 2017, photo, Kathleen, 12, a disabled adopted daughter of Vivian Shine-King, poses development, advocates
for a portrait at her home in Philadelphia. For foster parents of disabled children, money is getting
stroller,” Shine-King said, tighter. The reimbursements are seen as crucial because the high costs of caring for such children say. Constant moving can
because she didn’t have makes it less likely they’ll ever be adopted. Philadelphia, Missouri and Oklahoma are among disrupt their health condi-
enough money for a $15 places giving payments to foster parents of disabled children a closer look. tions.
parking garage. “If you (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma) Phyllis Stevens, executive
gave me 50 cents more, parents and others say, it in June that cut rates by Human Services had an $80 director of Together as
it’s a piece of change that often isn’t enough.Some 1.5 percent. Greitens later million reduction in funding Adoptive Parents, a foster
matters.” states have a set statewide said that it was a mistake for the past two years, put- family support organization
Shine-King, 61, got a little foster care reimbursement, and that there was enough ting pressure on foster care. based in Philadelphia, said
respite starting in July when while a few determine it money in savings else- The Department in July an- 70 percent of foster parents
Philadelphia raised its foster county by county, with where to stop those cuts nounced a reduction to adopt the child in their care
care per-diem rates, a daily the money coming from from happening, but not payments for foster and and are more likely to do so
reimbursement of expenses a combination of federal officially in the budget. adoptive families by 5 per- with better financial aid.
per child to ease financial and state coffers. Mean- Current rates do not do a cent, or $1 a day. Data on pay for foster care
burdens, something seen while, federal funding for good job covering costs, “Without a shadow of a from Child Trends show
as especially crucial for child welfare agencies according to Lori Ross, who doubt, a dollar-a-day cut Philadelphia had lagged
disabled children because dropped 16 percent from founded Foster Adopt Con- goes a long way,” said further behind other states
the high cost of caring for 2004 to 2014, according to nect, a Missouri support John DeGarmo, who has and counties after not
them makes it less likely a 2017 policy report by the organization for foster par- trained foster parents in raising its rates in 10 years.
they’ll ever be adopted. nonprofit research organi- ents. Oklahoma. The city put forward $9 mil-
Financial support for fos- zation Child Trends. “It is about a third of what In Philadelphia, Shine-King lion with federal, state and
ter parents in general has Federal dollars fund more is actually spent out of will see an increase in the county dollars to raise the
lagged nationwide and is than half the child wel- pocket on taking care of reimbursement pay for dis- rate, hoping foster parents
pervasive among child wel- fare spending in Missouri, a child,” Ross said. The rate abled children 13 years would adopt.
fare agencies; Philadelphia which raised foster care “should be adequate to and younger from $44 to Shine-King has been a sin-
is not alone in re-examining reimbursements in recent cover the costs of care for $51 per day and an annual gle foster parent, mainly
reimbursement rates. But years, although Gov. Eric those kids,” she said. increase of $2 for five years. for disabled children, for 21
even with the increases, Greitens signed a budget Oklahoma’s Department of “I am always begging and years.q