Foster parents and the children they care for will get more direct support through an investment in respite funding and an enhanced holiday allowance.
Government, today, June 2, announced $300,000 in more funding to help foster parents arrange for respite care to help them focus on personal, medical or family priorities, as needed.
The holiday allowance will also increase by $63,000. A $50 allowance per child will be provided in December for the busy holiday season.
“In keeping with recent investments for women and children in transition, this support will strengthen options for foster families who provide temporary support to children by helping them heal and grow,” said Community Services Minister Joanne Bernard.
“Foster families make an important contribution to the lives of children who are preparing to return to their birth family or join an adoptive family. I appreciate their efforts, day in and day out, to provide a loving, stable and supportive home for children in care.”
Foster parent Marina Keeping of Dartmouth said the funding is a welcome addition.
“I think many foster parents will feel supported and encouraged by this development. It’s a step forward for sure,” said Ms. Keeping. “I’m excited about the holiday allowance, that’s a real pleasure to hear and that will go directly to the child.”
The number of foster parents in the province is declining while the need for homes for children in care remains steady. Since 2008, foster families have declined by 22 per cent, a trend that is a concern throughout North America. About 650 families provide homes for about 950 children in Nova Scotia.
Recently, a working group of foster parents and staff conducted the provincewide Dialogue with Foster Parents survey to identify how to improve fostering. The survey suggests better communication and information sharing, more streamlined administration, and better respite and peer support could improve retention. A work plan has been developed to implement recommendations.
“Foster parents spoke very candidly and from their heart as part of the survey,” said Kimberley Berry, a researcher and foster parent. “They wanted to be asked for their point of view, and they appreciated being heard.”
Retaining families and recruiting new ones is key to a strong foster program. New resource videos by existing foster parents about their experiences will help prospective foster parents decide if fostering is right for them.
“Any responsible adult who is interested in becoming a foster parent is encouraged to attend an information session,” said Ms. Bernard. “There is always a need for more foster parents from all cultural, social and ethnic backgrounds.”
Foster parents can be married or common law, in a same-sex partnership or single. They may work full-time or part-time outside or in the home.
For information on becoming a foster parent, call 1-800-565-1884 or visit http://gov.ns.ca/fostercare .
Source: Release