What Benefits Do Foster Parents Receive In Georgia?

Fostering a child is a rewarding experience that comes with its unique challenges and responsibilities.

If you are considering becoming a foster parent you may be wondering, “What benefits do foster parents receive in Georgia?”

The answer is that Georgia provides numerous resources to foster parents, such as healthcare rights, assistance with training and support for a child’s healthcare needs, and financial reimbursements of costs.

The provision of healthcare rights for their foster children is definitely a key benefit foster parents receive in Georgia.

These healthcare rights ensure that all foster children have access to necessary medical and mental health services.

This includes regular check-ups, emergency care, dental and vision care, immunizations, mental health services, and specialized treatments if needed.

Moreover, foster parents are offered training and support to help manage the unique health needs of foster children.

This includes understanding the impact of trauma on a child’s health, navigating the healthcare system, and advocating for a child’s health needs.

What Services and Support do Foster Parents and Foster Children Receive?

In Georgia, foster parents and their foster children receive a wide range of services and supports.

One of those we’ve touched on previously – the healthcare rights for the foster children – which includes access to providers trained or experienced in treating individuals with complex special needs.

This ensures that foster children, who often come from difficult backgrounds, receive the necessary medical attention they require.

Foster parents also have the opportunity to work directly with county DFCS offices or private child placing agencies (CPAs).

These entities provide contracts for foster care, offering additional support and resources to foster families.

Furthermore, foster parents caring for three or more sibling children in DFCS custody are entitled to a per child sibling supplement, providing extra financial support.

The state’s Comprehensive Child and Family Assessment (CCFA) program also plays a crucial role in determining the specific needs of each child. Based on these assessments, appropriate healthcare services and support can be provided.

It’s important to note that this healthcare coverage continues even if the foster child moves to a different foster home within the state.

How Much Money do Foster Parents Receive in GA?

The financial aspect is an essential consideration for many potential foster parents.

In Georgia, foster parents receive a monthly stipend known as a ‘per diem.’

This payment is made according to the “Head in the Bed” rule, meaning if a foster child spends the night in your home, you receive the per diem for that day.

Payments are typically made via direct deposit on the 15th of each month.

Moreover, foster parents who are caring for needy families may qualify for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).

This includes a monthly payment plus Medicaid insurance coverage for the child.

Alongside these financial benefits, foster children are covered under the state’s health insurance, Georgia’s version of Medicaid.

This includes any behavioral or mental health support the child may need.

Final Thoughts

The state of Georgia offers numerous benefits to foster parents, ranging from financial stipends to medical coverage and supportive resources.

These are designed to ensure that every foster child receives the best possible care and that foster parents are adequately supported in this noble endeavor.