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Dear Foster Care provider,
As you may know, Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine tries to
keep Maine's foster parents apprised of legislative or policy
changes so you can be better informed.
The current budget cuts being considered will have an effect on
board rates for Therapeutic foster homes and the services for ALL
youth in foster care. (Therapeutic & Foster Family Parents)
As has been reported in the news over the past 2 weeks and in
discussions across the state in Therapeutic Care Agencies, up for
consideration right now is a 10% cut in Medicare. This will
translate into a 6% for all board rates for THERAPEUTIC
CARE PARENTS. It is important to note that therapeutic foster care
agencies cannot absorb these cuts and will translate to a
reduction in board rates for therapeutic foster homes, in addition
to reduced services these agencies provide to their foster
parents. It is also safe to say that these cuts will effect
services to ALL youth in foster care (not just therapeutic)
whether it be medical services, visitation services, etc.
During the recent legislative activity, members of the
Appropriation and Health and Human Services committee's have asked
'where is the input from foster parents on this issue'? They need
to hear from foster parents to help them make better decisions
about the upcoming considerations before them. Adoptive and Foster
Families of Maine wants you to know the importance of your input
to help guide these committee members as they prepare to make some
tough decisions. Decisions that will effect the therapeutic and
foster family community.
Please take a moment TODAY to write a brief note explaining how
additional cuts will adversely effect therapeutic and foster
families and the loss of services for the most vulnerable group of
youth in Maine, foster children. Brief, Cordial and stating facts
will get the attention of all the committee members involved.
Thank you for the valuable service you provide.
Thank you,
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Hello,
I am a therapeutic foster parent with Maine Caring Families
through the D.H.H.S. in our fair State.
I have undertaken this mission for 13+ years and have provided
complex medical and psychological and behavioral management for
many Maine children in that time.
Therapeutic parents care for the most traumatically affected
children of our State. These children are not well bonded to any
human being, their neurological systems are raw and over or under
regulated because of the circumstances of their birth or early baby
years. Many have genetic disorders that affect their ability to
judge or reason or learn as others do. Most have a combination of
any or all these things
This all is translated to a need for some very skilled and
devoted people to give up their lives to care and advocate for these
children . Maine’s future then, can be a better and brighter one
not only for these children, but for Maine as a whole. As
Maine’s youth goes, so will go Maine‘s future.”
I have given up my career as a full time registered Nurse to
serve these children. It wasn’t just a choice, but a mandate,
as the children I care for require so much 1:1 care and
case-specific advocacy, they can not function. My children are
success stories thus far. They move on to lead productive, taxpaying
lives despite their internal demons and other limitations.
I’ve never spoken out during Tax cuts in the past 20 years of
caring for others children. I think everyone, including me needs to
tighten their belts when times get tough. I am willing to do my
part.
I think Gov. Baldacci though, has asked too much of the D.H.H.S.
system this time in particular, their team of therapeutic parents. I
think the very heart of providing safe care to our deepest affected
children will be compromised. Make no mistake, this is not about
: How much the foster parents “will make“, but how much they
will be reimbursed.”
One last thought: I pay taxes in Maine, I’d like to think
“The Way Life Should Be” includes my children, who through no
fault of their own can not access their “life that should be”
without my help. Because, first there need to be caring, committed
foster parents that are there at 4:30pm and other times when the
office shuts down, or in the middle of the night when the tears of
grief come. So much money is wasted in services that just can’t
duplicate that.
When I pay my taxes, I like to think the typical Mainer, (my
neighbor ) cares for the needs of ill, injured or abandoned Maine
Children, their neighbors who can’t even tell you they need your
help. Before road projects, and before research grants and all the
other things that can distract us from this fundamental need, it is
my dearest hope that we all go to sleep knowing we have done our
best for this population.
Yes, it costs, but don’t squeeze the life and purpose out of it
with cuts. I believe this is where you are at now. Many parents,
including myself may need to leave foster care to make ends meet.
Please consider carefully.
Nancy Call
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