WHAT ARE FOSTER CARE BENEFITS?
Sacramento County Child Protective Services (CPS) may file a petition with the Dependency Court to have the child removed from the parent(s)’ custody and placed with a relative or in a licensed foster home. Licensed foster homes receive monthly payments for each foster child placed in the home. If you are interested in becoming licensed by Sacramento County as a Resource Family (formerly called Foster Parents), call Resource Family Approval at (916) 875-5543 or go to https://dcfas.saccounty.net/CPS/Pages/Resource-Family-Approval/SP-Resource-Family-Approval.aspx . On that website you will find information about qualifications to become a resource family, orientation and training, and the application packet to become a resource family.
Questions about foster care payments should be directed to the Department of Human Assistance, Foster Care Bureau at (916) 875-5770.
Foster care benefits are monthly cash aid paid by Sacramento County CPS for the child (not for the adults). The child also gets a one-time clothing allowance when the child is placed with you and another clothing allowance each year for back-to-school. There is a higher “specialized rate” for children with severe medical and/or psychological needs. If you think your foster child qualifies for this, request an assessment from the social worker. If the child is also a Regional Center client, s/he may qualify for a Dual Agency rate.
All children in foster care get Medi-Cal.