CHEYENNE - Last January, Pat Hans of Casper told the Legislature's Joint Appropriations Committee she was earning 53 cents an hour as a foster parent.

The state had not increased the $400-per-month pay per child in more than 25 years.

Hans said it wasn't enough, particularly with the need to completely clothe babies and children rescued from houses or apartments contaminated with methamphetamine.

Hans' strong testimony convinced the committee and ultimately the full Legislature to approve a $4.8 million appropriation for two years for a new pay schedule that reflects the U.S. Department of Agriculture's cost of raising children in rural areas.

The new schedule boosts pay to $645 per month for infants to 5 years, to $664 per month for children 6-12, and to $732 per month for children 13-18.

The budget request is based on 762 foster children in Department of Family Services custody.

The budget recommendation by Gov. Dave Freudenthal said the increase would eliminate the need for separate add-on payments for things such as transportation and child care.

The recommendation was consistent with the suggestions in a Legislative Service Office report on foster care.

Hans and Tanya Bilkie of Cheyenne, also a foster parent, said the raise is helping.

For more of this and other stories read Friday's Casper Star-Tribune.