CDA To Submit Proposal For Increase In Foster Care Allowance

The Child Development Agency (CDA) is in the process of submitting a proposal to Cabinet to increase the maintenance paid to foster parents. Foster parents are now getting $3,500 per month per child and this payment is made bi-monthly.

Winston Bowen, Director of Programmes at the CDA told JIS News that the proposal for an increase was in recognition of the rising cost of living, and the fact that the family setting provided by foster care was by far, a better arrangement for wards of the state.

"If we can get an increase and encourage more persons to come in the system as foster parents, then this would facilitate better growth and development of wards of the state," he suggested.

When asked if the current maintenance offered acted as a deterrent to persons interested in fostering a child, Mr. Bowen said that there were some cases where foster parents refused to accept maintenance, thereby allowing free placement of children.

However, there were other cases where foster parents needed financial assistance to provide for the children. In these circumstances, the Director explained, the CDA provided maintenance. "Fostering is certainly not a money making venture," he emphasized.

In regard to monitoring how the funds are used, Mr. Bowen said social workers are assigned to each foster child to oversee his or her welfare.

As part of their duties, social workers are required to maintain contact with the foster parents on a regular basis. Their duties also entail visiting schools to keep abreast of the child's attendance, in addition to examining clothing and medical reports, among other responsibilities.

"We go through these detailed steps to ensure that the child's needs are being met and that, the money which is paid, although small, is used in the interest of the child," the Director said.

While appealing to members of the public to become foster parents, Mr. Bowen was quick to point out that foster care was not a boarding arrangement, but should be deemed as an invaluable contribution to the societal development in the long run.

Interested persons can make enquiries at CDA offices in each parish, which are generally located in the capitals, except in St. Elizabeth and St. Mary, where the offices are located in Santa Cruz and Highgate, respectively.