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AVAILABLE Support
Financial Support
• You will receive a monthly stipend to help with the cost of caring for a child. The amount will depend on your experience and training as well as the age and special needs of the child.
• You can be reimbursed for expenses such as transporting a child to family visits, meetings, and court.
• An initial clothing voucher of up to $100 may be issued if a child comes into care without clothing and efforts to recover the child's clothing have been unsuccessful.
• Children in care are eligible for free school lunches. Children under the age of 5 are also eligible to receive services and food from the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program administered by the Health Department.
• If a child damages your home accidentally or on purpose, you may be eligible to be reimbursed the costs of repairing the damage.
• If a child needs special items or has unusual expenses, there may be funds to help.
Childcare
• Subsidized childcare is available if you work outside the home or if it’s authorized because of the special needs of the child.
• Protective services childcare is provided for some children. The child’s social worker can authorize this service if he or she feels the child’s situation calls for it.
Medical Benefits
Children in custody are covered for medical expenses either through their parents’ insurance or through Vermont Medicaid.
Training
In addition to the core training that you are required to take, you can also take advantage of training opportunities offered throughout the year.
Respite Care
An authorized respite provider can look after the child in your care so that you can take a break. All foster parents are allocated a minimum of 2 days per quarter (or 8 days a year) of respite care; however, some children and families require more than this. You may use respite a few hours at a time, for a weekend, or up to a week or two.
Crisis Support
An Emergency Services Program worker will be available by phone to help you in case of a crisis—24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Peer Support
You will get opportunities to meet and network with other caregivers, including respite providers, foster parents, and adoptive parents.
Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association (VFAFA)
You will automatically become a member of VFAFA—a grassroots network of foster and adoptive parents throughout Vermont. Membership benefits include a quarterly newsletter, two annual conferences, ongoing training and networking opportunities, and peer support. |
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