Support for foster and kinship caregivers

Based on the age of the child, this allowance helps cover day-to-day costs of raising a child such as: 

• food
• clothing
• shelter
• personal care items
• general household costs
• a spending allowance
• non-prescription medications
• gifts to the child
• gifts for the child to provide to family members

The skill fee compensates foster caregivers for their level of training and expertise in caring for a child. This rate is based on the classification of the foster home – Level 1 or 2.

Special rates are intended to compensate foster caregivers for the increased level of skill, training, experience and effort involved in caring for a specialized child or youth placed in their care.

In addition to basic maintenance, a per diem allowance is added to enable and encourage caregivers to take necessary and healthy breaks from the day-to-day demands of caregiving.

Caregivers are reimbursed for 2 days each month of relief or respite for each child placed in their home.

When infant placements are unexpected – as part of a sibling group or as an emergency placement, for example – the costs of equipment such as cribs or car seats that are required to accept and support an infant placement are covered.

Kinship caregivers may not be prepared in advance of placement. KIPA provides access to immediate financial assistance to cover start-up costs for initial placements.

Caregivers receive monthly reimbursements, based on submitted receipts, to help compensate for the costs of formula, diapers and basic baby supplies.

Medical, dental and optical services are covered through each child’s Personal Healthcare Number (PHN) and their Treatment Services Card or, for First Nation children with Status, by the federal government through the child’s Treaty or Registration Number.

For details on available compensation and current caregiver rates, see the resources below.

Through the Refer-a-Foster Caregiver Program, current kinship and foster caregivers, Supports for Permanency recipients and past foster caregivers in good standing will receive $1,500 for each referral to an individual, couple or family that becomes licensed to provide a foster home for children and youth in need.

Additionally, select non-profit organizations such as faith-based groups, cultural associations or other community groups may be eligible to receive this incentive as well for each successful foster caregiver referred through the program.

Kinship, foster and permanency caregivers know what makes an excellent foster family and can see those qualities in the people around them, making word-of-mouth referrals an effective recruitment strategy within the fostering community.

For more information, please email CFS CI Placement Resources [email protected].

Deciding to become a foster caregiver takes time, and so does the process to become fully licensed, which includes training, meetings and a home visit.

Prospective caregivers who complete the application process and become fully licensed foster caregivers will receive $1,500 over two payments. This consists of a $450 payment after completing pre-service training and another $1,050 once becoming a fully licensed foster caregiver.

Training strengthens caregiver knowledge, skill and ability to provide safe, nurturing and supportive care to children and youth. Training promotes the caregivers’ ability to support a child and youth’s cultural, developmental and emotional care needs.

The goal of caregiver training is for children and youth in need to be cared for by empathic, responsive caregivers who:

• accept them as they are
• respond to them in a developmentally appropriate manner
• interpret their behaviour through a trauma-informed approach with an Indigenous lens
• consider the impact of the loss and grief they have experienced

Caregivers are reimbursed for all mandatory training-related costs, including:

• transportation
• accommodation
• meals
• babysitting

Everyone interested in becoming a foster or kinship caregiver completes mandatory orientation training. This training explores the applicant’s motivation for caregiving, and covers such topics as:

• child development
• special needs of children and youth in care
• roles and responsibilities of caregivers
• supports provided to caregivers

Once approved, caregivers continue to learn more about their role and develop caregiver competencies through in-service training. They begin this journey by developing a learning plan with their support worker and working through a variety of courses on important topics, such as trauma, loss, grief, child development and the unique identity and cultural connection needs of Indigenous children.

Training is offered annually, in-person and online, both virtually facilitated and through eLearning. Training is a regulated requirement for foster caregivers.

As a caregiver, you will have ongoing contact and visits from your caregiver practitioner and the child’s child intervention practitioner to ensure the needs of the child and the caregiver are both being met. This support includes access to relief/respite care, further training, mentorship or in-home services.

Up to 5 hours of counselling per year is covered for each licensed foster home to make it easier to access mental health supports when needed.

Foster and kinship caregivers can also access mental health supports through Counselling Alberta.

Skill fee or special rates are paid to foster caregivers caring for Transition to Adulthood Program (TAP) participants who are 18 years or older and continue to reside with their former foster caregiver. This initiative will help more former foster caregivers provide mentorship, support and stability for vulnerable young people at a critical juncture in their lives.

Children and Family Services offices or Delegated First Nation Agencies may have their own foster care newsletters, conferences, websites and support groups. Make sure to connect with your caregiver support worker to ensure you are getting local information and support.

The AFKA is a not-for-profit association that supports foster and kinship caregivers and acts as a liaison between foster and kinship caregivers and Children and Family Services. The association advocates on behalf of caregivers for supports.

Other services include:

• education bursary fund
• Caregiver Support Team
• legal assistance
• extended property insurance
• conference and recognition events

For more information, visit AFKA Online.