THE STATE OF CT IS YOUR PARTNER

 

It can be expensive to raise a child. But if you are a licensed foster parent or if you adopt a child from foster care, the State of Connecticut is your partner.

 

Below are the financial and other supports you can receive — as well as how foster adoption compares with adopting from abroad. These supports are not a reason to foster or adopt. But they mean that financial considerations should not stop you doing what your heart says is right.

 

Foster Parents

If you become a licensed foster parent and care for a child, you can expect to receive a variety of financial and other supports.

 

Monthly Cash Subsidy

Based on a 30-day month and depending on the age of the child, parents receive the following cash payments. These payments are not taxable.

 

Age of child	Monthly payment
Age 0-5	$745.20
Age 6-11	$756.00
Age 12 and over	$822.90

Note: The payment for caring for medically complex children is $1358.10. The payment for caring for a teenage minor parent and child is $1568.10. Homes that provide emergency care quality for an additional $25 for the first day of care.

 

Health Insurance

The child receives free (at no cost to the family) HUSKY health insurance.

The foster parents are eligible to purchase medical and/or dental group coverage through the State of Connecticut plan…

 

College Program

Children in foster care may receive tuition benefits for attending post-secondary educational/training institutions up to the age of 23. (Tuition benefits are capped at the cost of attending Connecticut State University.)

 

School Lunch Program

The foster child is eligible to receive free school lunches through the child’s school system.

Respite Services

Foster parents can receive up to 14 days a year of respite.

 

Child Care Reimbursements

The costs of necessary child care are paid for by the State.

 

Other Benefits

Foster parents receive free post-licensing training as well as reimbursements for transportation and day care associated with training. So that foster parents feel a community of support, monthly support groups and other events are available to network with other foster parents.

 

 

 

Adoption

There are NO legal costs or fees associated with adopting a child from foster care. In addition there are no requirements that you travel abroad or any great distances.

 

In addition, if you adopt, you can receive a variety of supports from the State of Connecticut.

 

Monthly Cash Subsidy

Based on a 30-day month and depending on the age and needs of the child, parents can receive the following cash payments. (There are some rare exceptions.) These payments are not taxable.

 

Age of child	Monthly payment
Age 0-5	$745.20
Age 6-11	$756.00
Age 12 and over	$822.90

 

 

 

 

 

Note: The payment for caring for medically complex children is $1358.10.

 

Federal Tax Credit

Families adopting a child from foster care may receive a federal tax credit of up to $12,000 per child without having to document expenses.

 

Health Insurance

The child can receive free (at no cost to the family) HUSKY health insurance. (There are some rare exceptions.) Adoptive parents may be eligible to purchase medical and/or dental group coverage through the State of Connecticut plan.

 

College Program

An adopted child may receive post-secondary educational/training tuition assistance up to the costs of attending Connecticut State University.

 

Adoption Assistance Program

The Adoption Assistance Program provides post-adoption services to families who have adopted children from foster care. Services include case management, assessment, and in-home and community-based services.

 

Support Groups

To ensure that adoptive families feel a community of support, families can access other adoptive families to share concerns and gain from the experience of others.