Overview
When you’re a foster parent, you’ll work closely with your Foster Family/Kinship Social Worker who is there to support you. Your foster child will also have a DCF Social Worker assigned to support them. These workers can help connect you with the services and support you and your foster children may need.
Support for foster parents
Kid’s Net provides a range of support services to foster parents, including:
- The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) Kid’s Net Program provides a range of services to connect foster and kinship families to the information, resources, respite and support networks they need to address the unique challenges that come with raising foster children.
- Kid's Net Connection - An evening helpline is available from 5:00pm-9:00am weekdays and 24 hours on weekends (800-486-3730).
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
- The Commission’s primary purpose is to serve as a resource to the Commonwealth on issues affecting grandparents and all relatives raising grandchildren.
- The Wonderfund is a private, nonprofit, 501(c)3 that serves children engaged with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. We provide comfort and dignity to children in traumatic situations and enrich childhoods that have been impacted by abuse and neglect.
Support Groups
- Foster or pre-adoptive parent support groups are available across Massachusetts. These groups usually meet once a month and give parents the opportunity to get together, share their experiences, and learn. Talk to your Foster Family/Kinship Social Worker to learn more.
Financial support
DCF provides a daily stipend and a clothing allowance every 3 months for each foster child in your home. The amount is determined by their ages. The new daily rates effective July 1, 2024 are as follows:
| Child's age | Daily stipend | Clothing allowance |
|---|---|---|
| 0-5 | $33.27 | $330.44 |
| 6-12 | $37.71 | $340.82 |
| 13 or older | $39.40 | $410.02 |
You’ll also receive $100 to help pay for a birthday gift and $200 for holiday gifts for each foster child each year.
You may also be reimbursed for other expenses in special circumstances depending on your foster child’s needs. Contact your Foster Family/Kinship Social Worker for more information.
See this foster care payment schedule for additional information. Foster parents can also see details about payments they have received via FosterMA Connect.
New Foster Parents:
Foster parents need to complete a W-9 form to get paid. Talk to your DCF Foster Family/Kinship Social Worker to learn more. When you’re ready:
- Complete and sign this W-9 form
- Email the W-9 to DCF.PaymentAssistanceLine@mass.gov or mail it to 600 Washington Street 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02111, ATTN: DCF Accounting Unit
DCF encourages all foster parents to sign up for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to get your payments deposited directly into your bank account. This means you'll get paid faster. After you've filled out the W-9, use this DCF Electronic Funds Transfer form to sign up for EFT.
It usually takes 2-4 weeks after you submit your W-9 to get paid. If its been longer than that, please contact the Payment Assistance Line online or call (800) 632-8218.
Existing Foster Parents:
If you have any questions about a payment, such as missing/late payments, the payment amount, direct deposit, address changes, and more, please contact the Payment Assistance Line online or call (800) 632-8218. You can also see details about your payments via FosterMA Connect.
Health coverage
MassHealth provides all foster children with:
- Health coverage
- Dental coverage
- Mental health coverage
- Payment for some medications
Your foster child’s biological parents should continue to be involved in their medical care whenever possible.
If you’re fostering a child under the age of 5, they’re also eligible for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program.
WIC provides young children and their guardians:
- Nutrition counseling
- Food
- Referrals to health services
Child care
If you are a foster parent in need of child care and/or after school programs for a foster child age who is up to 13 years old, please discuss your needs with your Foster Family/Kinship Social Worker. Your Foster Family/Kinship Social Worker, in conjunction with child’s Social Worker, will initiate a referral as applicable.
If you have other child care questions or concerns, please work with your Foster Family/Kinship Social Worker to get them resolved with the appropriate staff at the local area office. If there are access issues, questions or concerns that remain unresolved at the area office, please call (617) 748-2209.
Adolescent services
If you are foster parent to an adolescent, there are a variety of support services and scholarships available. Ask your Foster Family/Kinship Support Worker to connect you with DCF's Adolescent Outreach Services.