Foster parents in St. Vincent and the Grenadines currently receive between EC$200 and EC$275 per month—roughly the same as what the nation’s poorest receive under the Public Assistance programme—but Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves says there’s a case to be made for an increase.
Speaking in Parliament, Gonsalves acknowledged the need to raise the stipend, noting, “And there is a case for an increase in the amount of money going to foster parents, and we are undertaking to increase the number.” He admitted that although the idea had been discussed during budget planning, it did not make it into the final budget document. “That is something which I, personally, think we need to give more than the 275, and we have to find a number,” he added.
The comments came in response to a question from opposition senator Shevern John, who inquired about updates on foster care assistance over the past two years and whether the government would consider an increase amid rising living costs. She also sought clarity on foster care retention challenges and the criteria used to return children to their biological families.
Responding on behalf of the absent Minister of National Mobilisation, Senator Keisal Peters, Gonsalves explained that the ministry operates three categories of care: kinship care, institutional care, and foster care. Kinship care involves placing children with relatives, while institutional care and foster care involve placements with non-relatives, either in trained institutions or vetted private homes.
Gonsalves disclosed that 208 children are currently placed across these categories. “It is not an insignificant number, and I believe that if we have a system which, for instance, if there are more foster parents, we can have even more children,” he said. Kinship caregivers receive EC$200 monthly, while those providing institutional or foster care receive EC$275.
However, he noted that the total monthly value often exceeds EC$500, thanks to additional “one-off” support for needs such as medical expenses, eyewear, school supplies, transportation, and more.
Among the biggest challenges facing the foster care system is the limited number of willing and eligible foster parents. “Despite efforts by the ministry to recruit and engage individuals and families to provide temporary care for children in need, the number of available and eligible foster parents remains inadequate, given the demand,” Gonsalves said.
He also highlighted the emotional and logistical burdens of fostering as deterrents. “For example, they get emotionally attached to the child, who may be later reintegrated with their biological family,” he said. Some cases even lead to legal battles, with foster parents suing biological parents for custody.
Gonsalves stressed the importance of vetting foster candidates carefully to ensure child safety. “It could be a complicated and lengthy process, and that may deter some families,” he said. “So that process, again, would further restrict people who may have an instinct to want to help.”
Ultimately, Gonsalves reiterated the government’s preference for placing children in familial or foster homes over institutional care. “Very often when they go to the institutional homes, they miss, sometimes, a lot of the love and care which you can get in the intimacy of a family,” he said.
He added that some foster parents have voiced concerns about the stipend. “Some foster parents say straight and plain to you that the money ain’t enough, and this is why you raised the question,” he told the senator.
Recounting a conversation with a foster parent who is also a teacher, Gonsalves said, “I said, ‘But you don’t have any more children. You like this child. … you ain’t doing it for the money, really…’ But still, we need to get that increase.”
