Day care subsidy- update 1/23

[wesleycrusher]

DD

[ceejay]

We have our foster sons in part time daycare and yes, the costs are paid for by the state.

Were you denied by the state for coverage for day care costs, or denied by the day care? We had to first find a daycare that would accept the state subsidized rates, and then submit paperwork to the state with evidence of our employment in order for the state to cover the costs. Both pieces needed to be in place.

Hope you're able to get this sorted out!

[wesleycrusher]

DD

[lbey]

In my state (MN) they pay a flat amount for room and board(based on child age) and then they do a MAPSY to define how much the family should get. The MAPSY part goes from 100-1500 depending on child's needs. The younger the child is, the less money you get. On the description of what the money is to cover, it says it is to fund part of the cost of childcare, but not all. That being said, nothing is based on family's income. It is all based on what the state considers a need for the child.

[ceejay]

I'm sorry it's been such a frustrating process. I hope you're able to talk to someone on Monday who can help get everything sorted out. I wonder if it's a confusing situation for the county because he is your nephew and he was already enrolled in daycare? Maybe the issue just needs to be elevated and someone could look more closely at the paperwork that you've already provided.

In my state, there is no consideration of income level regarding daycare subsidies. The only thing we had to prove was that we were employed, and it didn't matter how much we make. As long as there is a need for childcare (both foster parents are employed or if single the foster parent is employed), the state will cover daycare costs at a set amount per day. The only real hassle in my state is finding a daycare that has space for your foster children right away and is willing to accept the subsidized rate (which in my area is often much less than the normal rate charged).

[gnomesweetgnome]

Our state does have daycare subsidy for foster children, but it is required that each parent's pay stub show no less than 40 hours/week for the last 3 months or something. If both parents do not work full-time they won't cover it.

[wesleycrusher]

DD

[Deleted]

That is so crazy. In my state, the money given to foster parents is based on the needs of the child, not the income of the foster family. And they try everything to make things work, which includes covering daycare...they even find the daycare for you. Even though he is your nephew, the state is his legal guardian. I don't think it matters from that perspective if you are related. Unless you have more of a legal status than "foster parent?" Like, do you have legal guardian status? I don't know if that makes a difference or not. I am sorry you are dealing with this headache. I hope it is just a mix-up-and that you get it taken care of!

[chele]

Posting in here because I want to join the conversation but have to run right now.

[chele]

The way things have worked in my state is that the county, through another agency, pays for daycare/aftercare for foster children. You apply, supply pay stubs to show you are working, and then they approve and begin paying. The foster parent has to use a plastic card and swipe on a machine every day -- both in and out -- and they will pay for those days you swiped.

We are in a horrible situation right now where all we need is aftercare paid for, and we applied for it, but our new case worker never sent in our paperwork, apparently. Now she's on maternity leave and we are trying to get it straightened out and hopefully reimbursed. Our case changed counties it was like starting over again.

If I were you I would make sure your county knows that you are fostering -- you are officially fostering, right? Because the agency that my county goes through also pays subsidies for childcare for low-income families. It's somehow all the same system.

[wesleycrusher]

update in OP

[pinkie]

So glad you got this sorted out

[akafred]

In my state they will pay a daycare subsidy which, like the per diem rate for subsidy, isn't really enough to cover all the expenses unless you use a less than stellar center, have a bunch of foster kids and use lots of hand me downs, etc. DD as an infant was in a center that cost about $225 which was typical in our area. The state paid $175. Definitely better than nothing, but definitely not enough to cover it. And it had to be certain centers; if we wanted a really nice one, we would have had to pay totally OOP.

I like the update. Hope it gets fully sorted out soon!

[chele]

Glad you continued to look into it. Hopefully things will go smoothly from here on out.