Deseret News Editorial Board
Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010
Foster parents are a special ilk. They nurture other people’s children who have been removed from homes amid allegations of neglect and/or abuse.
With proper supports and efforts on the part of birth parents, many children are reunited with their birth families. There are also occasions when foster families adopt the children who have been in their care.
Presently, there are 2,800 foster children in state care. Many have intense needs, and they are spending longer periods in foster care. At the same time, amid overall budget cuts, the state has reduced foster care stipends to $14 a day for children who do not have special needs. These cuts took effect July 1.
It costs roughly $11 more — $25 a day — to kennel a dog along the Wasatch Front. How on earth are foster parents supposed to provide the basic needs of these children — food, clothing and other necessities — on stipends that have been rolled back to 2007 rates?
It’s a disgrace. State lawmakers need to find a way to restore this funding to previous levels. While those rates were far from what experts say would be sufficient, cutting these stipends while foster parents are pinched by the economic downturn places tremendous stress on their household budgets. Some foster parents may not be able to continue to provide this much needed care under this funding arrangement. That means state child welfare workers will have fewer options to place children or they will be pressing foster families to accept more placements.
Neither of these scenarios is in the best interest of children, some of whom are especially difficult to place because they have experienced physical and/or sexual abuse. As in-home options dwindle, more expensive residential options may have to be utilized.
It is understood that the economic downturn has also affected state revenues. Yet a recent commission empaneled by Gov. Gary Herbert found $10 million in savings could be derived from new efficiencies in state government in the short term.
Only a part of that would be needed to restore funding levels in foster care. Indeed, there are many pressing needs in state government. But foster care is arguably a unique case. Families make significant personal sacrifices to care for children in state custody. They should have adequate state support to take on this responsibility.
45 percent increase needed for care
Utah foster parents need a 45 percent increase in the state reimbursement rate simply to provide minimum care.
Sources: University of Maryland School of Social Work; National Foster Parent Association
