The province is increasing monthly funding for foster families and relatives who are caring for children, in hopes of attracting more families to the foster care program.

Government is increasing its support per child, ranging from $395 to $680 per month. The funding comes into effect on June 1st and will be reflected in payments on June 16th.

It also hopes to cut wait times for adoptions down from seven years to four.

Minister of Social Supports, Joedy Wall, has also announced additional funding for Foster Families NL, to help to recruit new families in Labrador.

The province is also launching recruitment campaign to encourage more people and families to consider fostering a child or children.

Wall says getting children into the right care is a priority for his government.

“We do need more foster families. We have children who are living in independent living arrangements, and a foster family to provide a loving environment is certainly the best option for a child,”

“We are looking at a new recruitment campaign. We are going to be working with Foster Families NL to ensure that we do attract more families to come in to foster.”