u/Djinnay

Hi all, I've been fostering for less than a year but I've started to notice A LOT of discrepancies between what they pitched me before I signed on, their manual and policies vs reality.

When I ask for clarifications or point out the issues I get a run around answer always blaming the ministry, nothing is ever in writing and agency flat out refuses to open dialogue aside from "the ministry".

The stipend we receive is a small fraction of what's provided by CAS and does not begin cover any of the expenses. As we are discouraged to have jobs outside the agency to produce a liveable income, many any of us have lost money while fostering, especially in the last few years due to cost of living increases.

1. How do you manage finances/necessities (like groceries or rent) when the stipend doesn't pay enough to cover either much less the cost of gas for access visits
2. has anyone switched agencies and if so, what did that process look like; are you happy with your decision