How Much Does Foster Care Pay?

In Nevada, foster parents receive between $858 and $971 per month per child in standard foster care. Families providing specialized foster care—Bamboo Sunrise’s focus—can receive up to $4,000+ per month per child, depending on the child’s needs.

Nevada vs. Other States

One of the most common questions people ask when exploring foster parenting is: “How much does foster care pay?”

The truth is: foster parents don’t receive a salary. Instead, they receive a monthly stipend designed to help cover the costs of raising a child—things like food, clothing, housing, therapy, and school expenses. These payments vary by state, county, and, most importantly, the needs of the child.

At Bamboo Sunrise, we provide both standard foster care and specialized foster care, with a strong focus on specialized placements. Specialized foster parents care for children who may have medical, emotional, or behavioral needs—and receive higher stipends along with enhanced support and training.

And while foster care payments are important, it’s critical to remember: our mission is always family reunification first. Adoption is only considered when children cannot safely return home.

Foster Care Payments in Nevada

In Nevada, foster parents receive base stipends plus additional payments for specialized needs.

Base Monthly Rates:

Child’s Age	Monthly Stipend
0–12 years	$858.02
13+ years	$971.38

Add-On Payments:

• Special Rates: +$37–$188/month

• Medically Fragile Care: +$188–$628/month

• Specialized Foster Care: +$550/month or more

• Sibling Placement Add-On: +$65/month

• Advanced or Specialized Placements: can reach $4,000+ per month per child

  
  

👉 That means foster parents working with specialized foster care programs like Bamboo Sunrise are more likely to receive stipends on the higher end of the scale, since we focus on children who need extra care and stability.

How Nevada Compares to Other States

For perspective, here’s how Nevada stacks up to other states known for higher foster parent stipends:

State	Monthly Range	Notes
California	$900–$2,000	Additional support for therapeutic needs
Oregon	$1,000–$2,500	Strong therapeutic foster programs
New York	$800–$2,000	Higher rates for teens and special needs
Massachusetts	$600–$1,400	Competitive with robust support services
Minnesota	$500–$1,300	Extra funds for specialized placements
Nevada	$858–$971 (base) / up to $4,000+ (specialized)	Bamboo Sunrise specializes in specialized care

The Importance of Specialized Foster Care

Specialized foster care is designed for children who need additional support—whether due to medical needs, emotional trauma, or behavioral challenges.

At Bamboo Sunrise, we:

• Train foster parents to provide trauma-informed care.

• Offer additional resources and ongoing support.

• Help ensure children receive therapy, medical care, and stability.

• Provide higher stipends to match the level of care required.

For families interested in fostering, this means:

• More training and support for you as a parent.

• Greater impact on children who need it most.

• A higher stipend to help cover advanced care needs.

  
  

Final Answer: How Much Does Foster Care Pay in Nevada?

• Standard foster care: $858–$971 per month per child

• Specialized foster care (Bamboo Sunrise focus): Up to $4,000+ per month per child

  
  

But remember: stipends are designed to meet the child’s needs—not to provide income.

The heart of foster care is giving children safety and stability while working toward family reunification.