Changes to Help Foster Families Care for Children

Government is making changes to give foster families more flexibility and resources to care for vulnerable children.

Starting Nov. 1, Nova Scotia foster parents will receive $200 for each child when they first arrive in care.

"From the bottom of my heart, I thank all Nova Scotian foster parents for giving so much of themselves to care for vulnerable children during their time of need," said Community Services Minister Joanne Bernard. "Too often, children arrive in care without the right clothing, favourite blanket, or even a toothbrush.

"By making emergency funding more consistent across the province, we can ensure that the children have what they need at a most difficult time."

Also starting in November, government is raising the foster care respite rate to $56 per day. Respite foster parents care for the children for short periods, giving regular foster parents some time off. The current rate is between $17 and $40 depending a child's needs. The increase is meant to attract more Nova Scotians to take on the role of being respite foster parents.

"This is great news for foster parents throughout Nova Scotia," said Wendell Fraser, chair of the Federation of Foster Families of Nova Scotia. "By taking this step, the minister has shown that she takes our concerns seriously. This will make foster parents very happy, and is a big step toward better foster parent recruitment and retention."

For more information about becoming a foster parent, go to http://fostercare.novascotia.ca.