Irregular Payments - Explanation by Selected Categories 623-05-30

 

Category 10 - Activities & Incidentals 623-05-30-05

(Revised 2/17/17 ML #3493)

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PI 17-15

 

 

Foster children placed in a licensed or approved (Tribal Affidavit) family foster home, group home or residential settings are eligible for irregular payments related to limited school supplies, extra-curricular activities, and personal incidentals. The foster care case manager is responsible to identify the needs of the child and provide prior approval for the foster care provider to purchase the item/s.

 

General school supplies (tablets, folders, binders, markers, crayons, pens, pencils, etc.) are included in the standard maintenance payment offered monthly to the provider. However, at times there are school fees above and beyond the routine school supply requirement. See the codes for Category 10 “Activities & Incidentals”.

 

Codes under Category 10:

Code 11

• Field Trips,
• Specialized School Supplies; shop/art/lab fees, scientific calculator,
• School Pictures,
• Senior Pictures, Announcements, Cap/Gown, Class Ring

Code 12

• Non clothing related athletic equipment including sport shoes
• Gym class required attire (shirt and shorts)
• Sports related personal incidentals

Code 13

• Prom Dress
• Tux Rental

Code 14

• Camp Registration and Fees
• Extra-Curricular Activity Fees (swimming lessons, karate, bowling club, gymnastics, dance, girl scouts, boys scouts, 4H, etc.)
• Summer school or after school programming provided by the school district; when the program is not licensed as a ND child care provider.

Code 15

• Music Lessons
• Lease or Purchase of Instrument

Code 16

• Personal Incidentals
  • School Backpack,
  • Personal Hygiene Items,
  • Cosmetics,
  • Over the counter medications,
  • Special dietary foods, and
  • Infant and toddler supplies, including high chairs, formula, diapers and miscellaneous items.

 

The above irregular items must be explained, documented, approved and subject to the maximum limit per age category. There will be no exceptions to the maximum limit.

 

All Category 10 expenditures require receipts.

 

The age limit coincides with the standard foster care maintenance rate age limits as follows:

Age Limits	Expenditure Limit/Year
0-4	$200
5-12	$500
13+	$700

The year is computed from the first date of entry into a paid foster care setting. If a child enters and leaves care during the same year, the yearly limit remains the same. The “expenditure limit/year” is a maximum amount per child regardless of multiple entries to foster care during that year.

 

Expenditures cannot exceed the age appropriate limit during a one-year time period. A quarterly maximum can be determined for each child to ensure that spending does not exceed the annual limit. For example: The 3 year old child is allocated $50 per quarter, not to exceed $200 per year.

 

The following is a case example of the “Expenditure Limit Date” and the “expenditure time period” for a child who enters foster care, leaves, and re-enters care:

 

Enters foster care

Child Age 11, Limit $500

Enters paid foster care setting 6/1/15*

Expenditure Limit Date Begins = 6/1/15

Expenditure time period = 6/1/15 – 5/31/16

Child returns home 12/1/15 with total expenditures in Category 10 =$450

Expenditures in Category 10 = $450.

The remaining balance in Category 10 = $50.

 

1. Same child returns to foster care BEFORE the “expenditure time period” ends:

   Child returns to foster care setting = 3/1/16.

   Expenditure time period = 6/1/15 – 5/31/16.

   Balance available under Category 10 until 5/31/16 = $50.

 

2. Same child returns to a paid foster care placement AFTER the prior “expenditure time period” ends:

   Child returns to foster care setting = 6/14/16.

   Expenditure time period renews= 6/1/16 – 5/31/17.

   Amount available under Category 10 = $500.

 

3. Same child was discharged from foster care and returns to a paid foster care setting after a lapse of one year.

   Child returns to a paid foster care setting = 12/5/17

   Expenditure time period = 12/5/17 – 12/4/18.

   Amount available under Category 10 = $500.