Your role as a foster caregiver is invaluable.
Your impact on the lives of children is immeasurable.
Thank you for opening your home, but most of all your heart. This page is here to support and empower current foster caregivers like you. You will find resources, information, and tools to help your journey in providing a safe and nurturing environment for children and youth in foster care. Whether you are seeking guidance, training opportunities, or simply looking to connect with a community of fellow foster parents, this page is your go-to hub for support and inspiration.
Resources
Expense Reimbursement Information
Car Seats
Can DCFS purchase car seats for foster children?
- Yes, contact your caseworker.
- The local office may provide a car seat or reimburse your purchase.
- Maximum reimbursement:
- $150 for infant/toddler seats
- $50 for booster seats
- Refer to DCFS Policy for more details here.
Non Child-Related Reimbursements
What can I be reimbursed for that is not directly related to a foster child?
- Swimming Pool Alarms: Up to $40 reimbursement
- Mileage: Reimbursed at $0.70/mile for training-related travel
- Web-based Training:
- Up to $4 per topic
- Max $60/year
- Submit training certificates to your Home Development worker to be reimbursed.
- Clothing:
- Up to $300 (under 12) or $400 (12+) within the first 30 days
- Annual replacement:
- Up to $200 (under 12)
- Up to $300 (12+)
- Incidental Expenses: Up to $40 for basic personal items within the first 30 days
- Luggage: Up to $100
- School Supplies: Up to $75/year
- School Uniforms:
- Up to $150 for Pre-K to 5th grade
- Up to $250 for middle/high school
- Backpacks: Up to $50/year
- Mileage: $0.70/mile for transportation to/from visits, court, appointments
- Medications: Reimbursement for prescribed medications not covered by Medicaid
- Educational Expenses:
- Tutoring, band instruments (up to $400)
- Club dues, special event clothing (up to $500/year)
- Senior expenses (up to $700)
- School pictures/yearbooks (up to $50 twice/year)
- Recreational Activities: Up to $900/year for camps, trips, memberships, etc.
- Hair Care: Up to $400/year for approved haircuts and treatments
Reimbursement Process
How do I get reimbursed?
- Submit Expense Reimbursement Form (Form 435 )with itemized receipts to your foster care worker. Keep copies for your records.
- Email receipts and provide originals during monthly visits.
- Contact your foster care worker if reimbursement isn’t received within 30 days.
- Access Expense Reimbursement Form (Form 435) here.
Forms:
Access DCFS Policy Online
Foster Caregiver Handbook: Download
Support
Resources
- Foster Care Fact Sheet: Download
- DCFS+CASA Flyer: Download
- CASA FAQs: Download
- Louisiana Foster Care Support Organizations
- 988 – Free, confidential emotional support 24/7
Download the Foster Friendly LA app on your phone below
Support for Certified Foster Caregivers:
- Serve as a point of contact for foster caregivers who have questions pertaining to their role as caregivers.
- Assist certified foster caregivers with identifying community resources and support groups.
Foster Caregiver Recruitment:
- Create awareness about the need for foster homes in communities throughout their assigned region through presentations, public events, and collaboration with other individuals and organizations in the community.
Community Engagement and Resource Identification:
- Identify local organizations that provide supportive services and resources for children and families served by DCFS.
- Engage local businesses, churches, and organizations in foster caregiver recruitment and support efforts.
- Organize Community Collaborative Meetings in their assigned region.
Guidance through the Certification Process:
- Serve as the initial point of contact for all families who are interested in becoming foster/adoptive caregivers.
- Lead Foster Caregiver Orientation with prospective families.
- Assist families with registering for A Journey Home pre-service training.
- Serve as the DCFS point-of-contact for A Journey Home training to answer questions and provide resources as needed.
Debra Cyprian
Mobile: 504-430-2032
Email: [email protected]
Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette Regions
Kathryn “Katie” Kilpatrick
Mobile: 225-363-8368
Email: [email protected]
Thibodaux, Covington, and Lake Charles Regions
Courtney Young Sanders
Mobile: 318-658-2046
Email: [email protected]
Alexandria, Monroe, and Shreveport Regions
Fostering Foundations Newsletter
State Parks offers free permits to foster, relative/kin caregivers
Thanks to the generosity of Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and the Office of State Parks, all certified foster caregivers and relative/kin caregivers can receive a permit good for free admission to any park in Louisiana for one year!
With your permit, everyone in your vehicle/group will be allowed in at no charge. You can enjoy boating, hiking, fishing, golf and much more as you explore the beauty of Louisiana.
For caregivers with a child in a wheelchair, there are all-terrain track wheelchairs now available at eight of the State Parks. They are electric-powered and can be used on designated park trails not suitable for regular wheelchairs. Please note that these wheelchairs need to be reserved and, if possible, you should bring your own helmet and eye protection for the child.
To get your permit, fill out the form at https://www.lastateparks.com/about_state_parks/foster_caregiver_permit and upload a photo of your foster care certification card. For relative/kin caregivers, you will be mailed a card you can use for the form.
State Parks will begin mailing permits in early December to those who have completed the online form. Once you receive yours, it will be good for one year. If you have questions or issues with the form, please call the Office of State Parks at 225-342-8111.
State Parks’ social media accounts
- Healthy Louisiana (Medicaid)
- Medicaid Regional Offices
- Medicaid – Find a Provider
- Medicaid Transportation Assistance
- Louisiana Crisis Response Providers, including Mobile Crisis Response System
- Partners for Family Health Louisiana
- Parners for Healthy Babies Social Services links
- Louisiana Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program
