Back in Feburary I blogged about Maine’s plans to cut foster care and adoption stipends. The cuts go into effect on July 1, 2008.

These cuts will hit families much harder right now when everyone is struggling to make ends meet. Now parents of kids with special needs will likely have expenses increasing, while their incoming is decreasing. “Normal” parents are trying to make it with their income remaining stable. How are special needs parents going to make it with... more

On Wednesday an article came out in USA Today about the rate of pay for foster parents, and questioned whether or not it was enough.

The first paragraph in the article is somewhat shocking, but not really if you’ve been in foster care for a while.

Most states pay foster parents far less than what middle-income families spend to raise their children, says a report out today by University of Maryland researchers.

And these are being compared... more

Are you looking for a new job? There is a list of the top 100 adoption friendly businesses based on number of weeks of paid leave for adoptive parents, financial reimbursement of adoption expenses and if additional money is available for special needs adoption.

The top rated business is Citizens Financial Group in Providence, RI. They offer $20,960 in adoption financial assistance as well as 1 week paid leave for adoptive parents.

Most of the companies are larger companies with more than... more

About a year or so ago, my friend MJ, discovered a major loophole in the adoption assistance program. This is a particular question that we asked when we signed Sammy’s adoption assistance contract.

It appears that adoption assistance does not transfer to the legal guardians upon the death of a single adoptive parent, or the death of both adoptive parents if there are two parents.

We asked this question when were getting ready to finalize Sammy’s adoption as we knew we would need to update our wills and name guardians for... more

My husband is a huge NASCAR fan, and during race season, our house comes to a halt on Sunday afternoons, and occasionally Saturday nights. Today was the “granddaddy” of all races, the Daytona 500. I know not to schedule family events on this day.

By osmosis, and continued exposure to the races, I have come to know the names of most of the racers. I could even name quite a few car numbers and sponsors.

Even if you’ve never watched a NASCAR race, you have surely heard some of the big names in racing. Dale Earnhardt springs... more

A reader on the Adoption.com forums just posed an interesting question about paying for treatment. Read her thread here.

Foster children, and children adopted from foster care have Title 19 (Medicaid) for their insurance. If the child is adopted, or a pre-adoptive placement, you can place the child on your medical insurance.

The problem comes when you can’t find an adequate provider that takes Title... more

What a great time for me to start blogging. Just in time for the dreaded tax preparation. If you are a foster or adoptive parent to a special needs child, you know that there are many deductions to take, but the process of recording everything is time consuming. I like getting my refund, but the gathering process is tedious and just annoys me.

Let’s discuss some of the deductions that you should be talking to your tax preparer about. Note: I am NOT in the tax business, so be sure to talk to a professional about the legal aspects... more

A monetary subsidy comes with foster children when they are placed in your home.

It is usually somewhere around $400.00 per month, give or take a bit, depending up the child and the age, and the special needs. It may be a lot more, or a lot less, so don't take my estimation as gospel.

You'll be required to take care of all expenses out of this payment:

Clothes, (and required to provide receipts) Food, Transportation to and from visits - sometimes five or more per week ... more

This message (in part) was on the over 40 adoption forum this morning:

…… When you first adopted were you able (financially) to do the baby’s room exactly how you wanted too - Another words did you go out and purchase all new things- Or got some second handed things (like the bed) ……?..

This was my answer:

Oh my gosh! Don't go into debt or try to keep up with your neighbors by doing your kids room. I bought... more