LAS VEGAS – Clark County still needs foster parents very much. Many people are now worried that foster parents aren’t getting paid enough.

Clark County commissioner Justin Jones said he knows the pay rate for foster parents needs to go up and has plans to make this happen.

Foster parents get between $500 and $700 per child they take care of.

“We heard this week that the rate we pay regular foster families hasn’t changed or gone up in more than 15 years,” Jones said. “I think you heard me and others on the board gasp when we heard that.”

Representatives from the county department of family services also said that more money was needed.

“We had someone say, ‘Well, the pay isn’t high enough for people to want to foster,’ and we totally agree with that,” said Holly Kelsven, who is in charge of public information for Clark County.

Jones said that in the past, the county has been able to get more money for specialized foster care, which is when foster parents take care of kids who are in the justice system or who have mental health problems. Now, the county wants to do the same thing everywhere.

“At least we got to pay them for the time and effort it takes to care for these kids and take them to school, the doctor, family events, etc.,” said Jones.

Jones said that the county would not wait for more money from the state.

“It will definitely go into effect in the next fiscal cycle, but I think the board will take action right away,” Jones said.

On Tuesday, the county said it will hold a fast-track recruitment session to help with the shortage of foster parents.

“So that we can get homes licensed faster and get those kids into those homes faster,” said Jones.

Because there was so much interest in the quick course, it is already full.

Commissioner Jones is also working to make this easier to get.

“Because, obviously, if people want to do this and get licensed quickly, we will take advantage of that,” Jones said.

Credits: Fox 5 Vegas

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