CIG hopes pay boost will attract more foster parents
(CNS): Foster parents in the Cayman Islands are now receiving a slightly bigger stipend, starting this month, which the Ministry of Social Development said refelcted the rising cost of living. This is the first increase since 2015, but the ministry said that going forward, the stipends, which now range from $215 to $300 per week, will be reviewed annually to ensure they are better aligned with living costs.
The ministry said the decision to adjust stipends comes after a thorough evaluation of current cost-of-living considerations and an in-depth analysis of feedback received from the 2023 Foster Parents’ Survey. The survey, which collected insights from foster parents throughout the country, highlighted the need for greater financial assistance to meet the growing demands of providing high-quality care to foster children.
“This decision is therefore a direct response to these concerns, reflecting the government’s commitment to listening to and valuing the contributions of foster parents,” the ministry said.
By offering more financial assistance, the government hopes to attract new families to the foster care system, with the aim of ensuring that every child in need of care has access to a loving and stable home.
“In view of increased costs of living, it’s crucial that we equip our foster parents with the resources necessary to provide a safe and caring environment for our children,” said Social Development Minister André Ebanks.
“This stipend adjustment is about more than just financial assistance; it’s about safeguarding our children and ensuring their wellbeing. By investing in our foster care system, we not only retain the dedicated parents who play an essential role in our community but also encourage more families to consider fostering, which is a growing need in our Islands.”
| Previous weekly stipend | Current weekly stipend | |
| Children aged 0-3 years | $195.00 | $260.00 |
| Children aged 4-18 years | $160.00 | $215.00 |
| Special needs children | $220.00 | $300.00 |
For information on the Foster Parent Programme, email DCFSFostercare@gov.ky
or call (345) 949-0290.
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Category: Local News
All the people complaining or with negative things to say, feel to contact DCFS and sign up to be foster parent!!
walk the walk. don’t just talk!
Not really. DCFS have an impossible job. Pointing that out is hardly an invite to go foster some kids.
Like it’s been said, people need to stop having litters of kids like feral animals.
Money which would have been better spent on mandated birth control.
Are the parents getting fosters cards? Or paying for daycare/nanny? I don’t see how foster parents can afford to take on kids in this economic environment unless they are independently wealthy.
Fostering here is tough. Kids are generally from severely dysfunctional families that also tend to be scattered all over the islands. So, you cannot effectively take children away from interacting with some of the most foul people Cayman has to offer.
You could double or treble those numbers and it wouldn’t tempt me. With the influx of many more to the island, this will probably grow much larger as an issue, too.
Abortion needs to be legalized.
Cayman is suffering the consequences of the Jamaican culture of breed and dump….”Out of one, many people” should be their national motto.
Family planning advice should be a mandatory part of education for all children starting at the age of 12 .
Unfortunately Jamaican men shun the use of condoms.
So if the child is being born into a poor circumstance, may as well just murder the kid before its born?
wow.
Ah, the dog whistle use of murder.
It’s an emotive subject, but no, abortion is not murder. It’s wouldn’t be compulsory, but at least it gives a chance to not ruin at least two lives.
A barely developed fetus is not a person.
“A barely developed fetus is not a person.”
Science says otherwise.
It’s a human life. Google it.
MCGA!
You missed the point…. Not the child’s fault, but rather our society’s acceptance of how these unwanted children are born to uncaring “parents”.
Same thing about drunk drivers who kill innocent road users, it’s not the fault of those killed, but the responsibility of those who get drunk and drive…resulting in the deaths.
Where are these poor kids from? I just don’t see how it’s possible for a Caymanian kid to have no family to care for them in the rare event they lose both parents. What is going on?
where are the real parents?
people need to stop having kids.
Legalize abortion.
Yes, cost of living has gone up and so has the cost of raising a child, biological or otherwise. So the increase for foster parents is long overdue for sure.
I just hope that nobody would now decide to be a foster parent just for extra cash.
The motivation to be a foster parent should not be about money. It should be about helping kids in need and giving them a home and love/care they when they need it.
The more these monthly payments go up, the more the vetting and scrutinizing of any potential applicants should as well.
I fear there may be some ‘wolves in sheeps clothing’ looking for $$$$$ instead of prioritizing the well being of a child and then signing up to be a foster parent for the wrong reasons.
i know a few foster families and most of them are simply in it for the money.
kids wear bracelets,vdezlingvweed and have a bad attitude.
The new stipend is equal to a kinimum wage. that is ridiculous.
There are parent on minomum wage thst need to take care of their own children, while fister partnts get a minimum wage pef child ?
Don’t turn itbinto a money making enterprise.
Drop it to 100 a month then you get real foster parents, thet really care .
I sure hope you’ll do the right thing and report them.
Please note that this foster care stipend is for feeding and maintenances of the foster child/children. It don’t not take care of the upkeep of the person home our utilities or pay for the person time and effort. So what the fuss.
You really think $100 per month can take care of the financial needs of a child? Tell us how you do that.
when you are on cayman minimum wage, then that is all you have.
real parent dont get 1000$ a month for their child, so a foster couple should also be able to do without.
in that case you eliminate the greed for money and you will get real caring foster parents.