👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Cayman Islands Government increases foster parent stipend

The Cayman Islands Government (CIG) has announced an increase in the weekly stipend for foster parents, a move aimed at attracting more families to the foster care system and aligning with the rising cost of living. The Ministry of Social Development stated that this is the first increase since 2015, and stipends will now be reviewed annually. The new stipends range from $215 to $300 per week, depending on the age and needs of the foster child. 📊

This decision came after a thorough evaluation of current cost-of-living considerations and an in-depth analysis of feedback from the 2023 Foster Parents’ Survey. The survey highlighted the need for greater financial assistance to meet the growing demands of providing high-quality care to foster children. The government hopes that by offering more financial assistance, every child in need of care will have access to a loving and stable home. Social Development Minister André Ebanks emphasized the importance of equipping foster parents with necessary resources and investing in the foster care system. 🏠

For those interested in the Foster Parent Programme, they can contact the government via email or phone. The previous and current weekly stipends for children aged 0-3 years are $195 and $260 respectively, for children aged 4-18 years are $160 and $215 respectively, and for special needs children are $220 and $300 respectively. 📞