The average cost of raising a nine-year-old child, excluding medical
care,
was $8,260 per year in 2000, according to the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, but the average amount provided to foster parents to meet
the
needs of a nine-year-old child is $4,932 per year. This Jim Casey
Foundation report documents costs and payments for each state.
http://www.casey.org/cnc/foster_care_month/cost_of_raising_child.htm