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This comment was added for what reason?  This is a 24/7 365 day a year job.  Many times we are taking into our homes, children/young adults that many would not even babysit for an hour.  Many of the children in care are not the beautiful little baby  with dimples in a pink or blue blanket as is the picture most of the public have in mind.  This is a very difficult and complicated job for which most Foster Parents are not adequately reimbursed and thus are subsidizing the State for the care of the children taken  into custody!

posted 3 years, 6 months ago
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I agree completely!  Until this system is rebuilt from the ground up; we will struggle.   Developing "Professional Foster Parents" is a possible solution with well trained people reimbursed at a fair rate for the very important work we do 24/7 365 days of the year.  This is more than a full time job. 

I too cannot recommend anyone consider being a Foster Parent.

Please have another show to further the discussion on this topic.

posted 3 years, 6 months ago
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This so called "raise",  that Foster Parents received in the base rate, is actually a "cost of living" type increase to bring Oregon up to what the actual cost of raising a child is today per the Federal Government standard.  Oregon had one of the lowest reimbursement rates in the U.S.   Foster Parents have been subsidizing the STate for the care of these children for years.

The CANS assessment determines the added funds allowed to provide for the increased needs of the child.  This assessment can be challenged but it takes months and there may be no change.  Again, the Foster Parents are footing the bill.  In these tough times, many are finding it difficult to make ends meet and may need to decide not to continue fostering.

The children in our homes are more difficult today than 5 years ago.  Children are coming directly out of residental treatment or juvenile detention directly into our homes yet the Foster Parents are not being reimbursed for the increased level of need and supervision these children/young adults need for  them, us and the community to remain safe.

posted 3 years, 6 months ago
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