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Caregiver reimbursement information
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Board payment shortfall to caregivers – what’s it all about?
Between 1 July 1995 and 30 June 2001, some caregivers and caregiver organisations may not have received their full ‘board payments’ from Child, Youth and Family or the social service organisation they work with.
Caregivers – who are often called foster parents – are people who look after at-risk children on behalf of Child, Youth and Family. In return for providing this important service, they are paid a board payment for each child placed with them. The Chief Executive, as required under legislation, sets the board payment rate. Some caregivers are paid directly by Child, Youth and Family, while others are paid by caregiver organisations contracted by Child, Youth and Family.
Child, Youth and Family is now working to identify all caregivers who are eligible for a reimbursement and to establish exactly how much they are owed. Once that is done Child, Youth and Family will start reimbursing those who have been identified.
How was the shortfall discovered and what did Child, Youth and Family do about it?
The issue came to light during Child, Youth and Family's work towards achieving more effective care arrangements and Child, Youth and Family immediately sought to resolve the issue.
To ensure that reimbursement could occur, the Government announced on 16 December 2001 that it would provide $11.49 million to cover the costs associated with this process. A further $2.2 million a year will also be provided to ensure caregivers are paid the appropriate board rate in future.
Child, Youth and Family has also established systems for checking board payments to make sure caregivers are paid the correct amount in future.
How many people are affected?
We believe that up to 4000 individual caregivers who work directly with Child, Youth and Family may be eligible for reimbursement. As for the number of caregivers working with other organisations, this figure will become clear over the next few months as we work with those organisations.
How much are they owed?
Every case will be unique and we won’t know exact details for some time. Child, Youth and Family is working with caregivers and caregiver organisations to establish exactly how much is owed and to whom.
What is Child, Youth and Family doing about it?
Child, Youth and Family is committed to working with caregivers and caregiver organisations to ensure everyone who is eligible receives the money they are entitled to. This includes:
- talking directly to caregiver organisations and individuals
- writing to all caregiver organisations and individuals currently listed on their database
- setting up an 0800 number (0800 652 222) so people can talk with Child, Youth and Family staff about the issue
- publishing information on the Child, Youth and Family web site at www.cyf.govt.nz
When will the reimbursements start?
Reimbursements will start as soon as Child, Youth and Family has established which caregivers are eligible for reimbursement, and how much they should be paid. This may involve asking caregivers and organisations to provide information, such as evidence of payments they have already received.
If you think you might be eligible
In the New Year, Child, Youth and Family will be contacting everyone on their database that they believe could be eligible.
If you would like to discuss this further before then or ensure you are registered to receive further information, you can call 0800 652 222 any time between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm, seven days a week. The helpline will be closed on 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January.
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