I am pleased to report that DCFS Director McEwen verified that foster parents will receive a 3% increase in reimbursement rates, effective October 1, 2008. This means foster parents should expect to see an increase in the checks they receive in November (as reimbursement for October.) If you are licensed by and accept children from a private agency, you may want to verify the date at which you should expect to see this reimbursement reflected on your checks with your agency's foster care director.

The increase, I believe, reflects the many efforts of both the Illinois Foster Parent Association and Child Care Association of Illinois in advocating for an increase throughout this spring. I am particularly thankful for the efforts of you, Gladys, and those foster parents who journeyed to Springfield during the spring to talk with legislators. We are very pleased that DCFS listened to the concerns of foster parents and our association and that, even during this period of budget uncertainty, decided to proceed with an increase for the foster parents.

We will need to keep pursuing this issue each year until we get closer to the recommended MARC rate, but this is certainly a good start. Our fight has just begun!!!