B.C. foster parents, caregivers to see funding

B.C announced its new budget Tuesday, and in it came a large sum of money that will go, in part, to help support foster parents — something the president of the BC Foster Parent Association says she is ‘ecstatic’ about.

Over the next three years, $264 million is set to go toward increased financial support for foster parents, extended family caregivers, and those who care for children.

Read more: BC Budget 2023: Delivering on renters’ rebate, mental health and addictions supports

President of the association Julie Holmlund, says that this will help ease the burden some foster parents are currently facing.

“This was the best news we could’ve had. It’s been a long time coming,” she said.

“Foster parents have been struggling with inflation and the cost of living, and some foster parents quit fostering because it was too much of a financial burden. This will absolutely alleviate that, and it will help them take better care of the kids in their home.”

Holmlund says there are more than 2,500 kids currently in foster care across the province, and some homes have up to six kids at a time in their care. She says the money will provide a huge relief to many caregivers.

She notes the last increase foster parents had was about 15 years ago, saying a lot has changed since then in regard to the cost of living.

“You probably notice in your own grocery bill the difference and the increase…and I don’t think it’s going to go away anytime soon,” she said.

The increase comes into effect on April 1, and caregivers could see up to a 47 per cent increase in funding for maintenance rates.

Holmlund says the money will go “directly to the needs of the child.”

“It goes towards clothing, school things, food, and contributes to their upbringing,” she said.

“This is such great news for the kids as now there will be more things that we are able to do for them and with them.”

With files from Monika Gul