Level of Care Foster Payment Saskatchewan: PRIDE Pay Levels Explained

Saskatchewan does not pay all foster parents the same rate. Once you complete your basic PRIDE training, a tiered "Levels of Pay" system determines how much supplemental income you receive on top of the standard maintenance per diem — and the difference between Level 2 and Level 5 is significant enough to affect which children you can realistically accept into your home.

Understanding how these levels work before you begin the application process saves you from two common mistakes: underestimating your earning potential, or overestimating what a basic placement actually covers.

What the Basic Maintenance Per Diem Covers

Every licensed foster parent in Saskatchewan receives a basic maintenance per diem. This is not income — it is a reimbursement intended to cover the child's actual costs: food, shelter, clothing, and ordinary transportation.

Current estimated rates are split between Southern and Northern schedules to account for regional cost differences:

In 2024, the Ministry announced a $600,000 investment to increase rates for babysitting, respite, and school allowances. Rates are updated periodically — the figures above reflect recent provincial estimates but should be verified with your regional MSS office or the Saskatchewan Foster Families Association (SFFA) at 1-800-667-7002.

Northern rates apply to communities in the northern region of the province. If you are fostering in or near La Ronge, Buffalo Narrows, or other northern centers, confirm which rate schedule applies to your placement.

The PRIDE Levels of Pay: What They Are and How They Work

PRIDE — Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education — is Saskatchewan's required pre-service training framework. Beyond the standard 30-hour pre-service module, caregivers can advance through training levels that unlock supplemental "service fees" paid on top of the basic maintenance per diem.

These are not bonuses. They are structured payments that reflect the higher skill demands of caring for children with more complex needs.

A Level 5 caregiver supporting a child with complex medical needs receives approximately $2,900 per month in service fees on top of the applicable maintenance per diem. For a 12–15 year old in southern Saskatchewan, that means roughly $3,580 per month total — covering both the child's basic costs and compensating the caregiver for specialized care demands.

Special Needs Foster Care in Saskatchewan

The PRIDE levels are where special needs foster care becomes viable as a long-term commitment. Children with significant medical, developmental, or behavioral needs require caregivers who have invested in advanced training and who are compensated for the additional time and skill that care demands.

"Special needs" in this context includes children with:

• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) — disproportionately common among children in Saskatchewan's care system
• Complex trauma presentations requiring therapeutic parenting approaches
• Developmental disabilities requiring daily support with personal care
• Chronic medical conditions requiring medication management or regular health appointments

Placement at Level 4 or 5 is not automatic. Your caseworker, the child's care plan, and the Ministry jointly determine which level applies to a specific placement. If you believe a placement should be rated at a higher level than assigned, you have the right to raise this with your caseworker and request a review.

What the Money Does Not Cover

A consistent source of frustration for new foster parents is discovering that the per diem does not cover everything. The maintenance rates cover ordinary daily costs, but separate requests are required for:

• Initial clothing allowance when a child arrives without adequate clothing
• Recreational costs — sports registration, music lessons, summer camp
• Travel reimbursement — the provincial rate is approximately $0.56/km for medical appointments and family visits
• Respite care — funding is available to hire a babysitter or another licensed foster parent so you can take a break
• Jordan's Principle funding — for First Nations children, additional services not covered by the Ministry (specialized therapy, traditional healing, speech-language support) may be funded through federal Jordan's Principle applications

Ask your caseworker for a written breakdown of what is covered by the placement rate and what requires a separate request. Getting this information upfront prevents billing disputes later.

How to Access Higher Levels

Advancing through PRIDE levels requires completing additional training modules offered through the Ministry and the SFFA. The SFFA runs annual conferences and specialized workshops on topics like FASD, trauma-informed parenting, and supporting youth who are at risk of sex trafficking.

The practical path:

1. Complete basic 30-hour PRIDE pre-service training (required for licensing)
2. Accept placements at Level 2 while building experience
3. Attend SFFA workshops and document completed training
4. Work with your caseworker to identify a pathway toward Level 3 or higher based on placement needs in your area
5. Request a formal level review when you have the training credentials to support it

There is no fixed timeline. Some caregivers remain at Level 2 for years because it suits the children they care for. Others move to Level 4 or 5 within two years because they have a strong background in healthcare or education.

The Real Financial Picture

For prospective foster parents trying to assess whether fostering is financially feasible: the basic maintenance rates are designed to cover the child's costs, not to generate household income. The supplemental PRIDE service fees at Level 3 and above do begin to recognize the caregiver's time and expertise, but this is not equivalent to a professional salary.

Most foster families in Saskatchewan treat the Level 2 rate as cost-neutral — the child's expenses are covered, and the family's existing budget is not materially affected. The decision to foster remains primarily a volunteer commitment; the Levels of Pay system ensures it does not become an out-of-pocket one.

If you are caring for a child with significant needs and your placement is not rated at a level that reflects that reality, advocate for a reassessment. Your caseworker should be able to explain the criteria used to determine the level and what evidence would support a change.

The Saskatchewan Foster Care Guide includes a complete breakdown of the PRIDE levels system, a per diem reference table, and a guide to requesting additional allowances and Jordan's Principle funding for Indigenous children in your care. Get the complete guide at adoptionstartguide.com/ca/saskatchewan/foster-care/.

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