Human Services Agency

Caregiver Types & Rates

Open Your Home, Change a Child’s Life

Foster care comes in many forms, each designed to meet the unique needs of children in Washoe County. Whether providing short-term emergency care, supporting a youth transitioning to independence, or offering a loving pre-adoptive home, foster parents play a vital role in giving children stability, safety, and hope. Every child deserves a nurturing environment where they can grow, heal, and thrive—and your home could be that safe place.

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Types of Foster Homes

Contract Foster Home: Caregivers who meet all NRS and NAC 424 licensing requirements, sign an Agreement for the Provision of Foster Care Services, and are licensed by Washoe County Human Services Agency to care for one to six children in custody who are unrelated to them.

Relative Foster Parent: A caregiver who is related to a child in the custody of a child welfare agency.

Fictive Kin Foster Parent: A caregiver who is not related by birth, marriage, or adoption but has a significant emotional and positive relationship with the child, such as a close family friend or neighbor.

Enhanced Foster Home: Provides full-time care for one to six children diagnosed as severely emotionally disturbed. These homes receive specialized Together Facing the Challenge model services.

Specialized Foster Home: Provides full-time care for one to six children with special physical, mental, or emotional needs who are unrelated to the caregiver.

Pre-Adoptive/Prospective Adoptive Home: Caregivers matched to a child for adoption who will love and accept the child as a fully integrated family member. The foster care reimbursement rate changes to the pre-adoptive rate once a child is matched.

Independent Living/Voluntary Jurisdiction: Supports youth aged 16+ transitioning to independent living after entering into an agreement to do so.

Emergency Foster or Group Care: Licensed homes providing short-term care for one to 15 children while longer-term placement solutions are arranged.

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Special/Extraordinary Needs Rate

Additional reimbursement based on a child’s extraordinary needs:

• Level 1: +$3.30/day

• Level 2: +$7.70/day

• Level 3: +$11/day

• Level 4: +$16.50/day

• Level 5: +$23.10/day

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Reimbursement Rates

Contract Foster Care 

• First 90 days: $44/day

• Over 90 days: $33/day

• If applicable, add Special Needs Rate

Relatives/Fictive Kin

• $33/day

• If applicable, add Special Needs Rate

Enhanced (Advanced) Foster Care

• Age 0–12: $50.95/day

• Age 13+: $54.70/day

Specialized Foster Care

• $144.48/day

Pre-Adoptive Care

• Age 0–12: $28.21/day

• Age 13+: $31.94/day

• If applicable, add Special Needs Rate

Independent Living/Voluntary Jurisdiction

• $31.94/day

Emergency Foster or Group Care

• Filled Bed: $270/day

• Empty Bed: $115/day

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