St. Elizabeth Coleman Pregnancy and Adoption Services

Foster parents in Indiana have access to a variety of services and support. These services include:

Support Payments

As a foster parent, you will receive a daily payment from DCS to help cover the costs of caring for a foster child. The amount varies depending on the age and needs of the child, but payments start at $18.88/day.

Foster parents are also eligible for an initial clothing expense payment of up to $200.00 and an Annual Personal Allowance of up to $300.00 per child per year. This payment becomes available when the child has been in placement for at least eight days.

Additionally, DCS provides a Special Occasion Allowance of up to $50.00 on
child’s birthday and during the December holidays.

Medical and Dental Coverage

In Indiana, children in foster care are entitled to receive Medicaid coverage for their medical and dental needs.

However, it is the responsibility of the foster parents to schedule and attend all medical and dental appointments for the child. This means that foster parents must make sure that the child receives proper medical care and attends all necessary appointments to maintain their health and well-being.

Training and Support Groups

Foster parents have access to ongoing training and support groups to help them navigate the challenges of fostering. Support groups provide a space for foster parents to connect with others who understand the unique challenges of fostering.

Indiana Foster Care Statistics and Outcomes

Understanding the statistics and outcomes of foster care in Indiana can help you better understand the need for foster parents in the state.

As of 2021, there were over 13,000 children in foster care in Indiana. However, there are only 6,200 licensed foster parents. Most children in Indiana foster care are between ages 8 and 16. On average, they stayed an average of 14.3 months in foster care.

Sadly, children who exit foster care have a higher likelihood of experiencing homelessness, unemployment, and incarceration than their peers who did not experience foster care.

As a foster parent, you can help break this cycle. You could inspire troubled child to excel and reach their true potential.