Reimbursement rates are too low

A new study reveals Illinois reimburses foster parents at a rate far below the actual costs of caring for a foster child, according to a report released in October by the National Foster Parents Association, Children's Rights and the University of Maryland.

The authors examined reimbursement rates for foster children ages 2, 9 and 16.

Illinois rates were $380, $422 and $458 per month. The study says to meet actual costs, Illinois rates should be $661, $757, and $830, requiring increases of 74 percent, 79 percent and 81 percent.

Last year, the state legislature increased foster parent reimbursement 3 percent for the first increase in six years. That 3 percent increase resulted in an extra $13.74 per month per child -- the equivalent of 46 cents per day.

This year, no increases.

Meanwhile, as the result of escalating grain prices, the cost of feeding a child has skyrocketed from a year ago.

In U.S. cities last month, the average retail price of a pound loaf of whole-wheat bread was up 24 percent from a year ago. according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Whole milk rose to $3.807 a gallon, up 26 percent.

And General Mills, for example, is shrinking cereal packages, thus, raising the price.

Foster parents and residential homes that care for the state's foster children are not immune to these price increases.

Lawmakers need to meet their responsibility to pay the cost of feeding foster children under their care. Next year's fiscal year 2009 budget will be a good lace to start.

The Child Care Association of Illinois will soon be presenting lawmakers a budget plan to meet the cost of feeding a foster child. We need citizens to convince legislators that properly feeding a child matters.

Margaret Berlind

President and CEO

Child Care

Association of Illinois

Chicago