N.S. increases foster parent support rates to deal with higher costs

HALIFAX - Nova Scotia foster parents are getting an additional $1.6 million to help with the costs of looking after the children in their care. Community Services Minister Kelly Regan says the money will be used to increase babysitting rates and per diems paid to families.

As of Aug. 1 the per diem rate for children up to nine years of age will increase $1.50 from $17.50 to $19, while the per diem for children 10 years of age and older will go up $2.07 from $25.43 to $27.50. The babysitting rate for children up to 12 years of age will go from $4 per hour to $10.60 per hour for the first child while the rate for each additional child will remain at $4 an hour for up to four children per household.

As part of the changes, reimbursement for travel expenses will move to a monthly automatic payment of $50 per child.