Services to provide foster homes for families who, because of a family crisis, can not remain together. Severe alcoholism, inadequate care and supervision of children, physical or sexual abuse, severe financial problems, mental or physical illness, loss of parents through death or desertion or severe marital stress are examples of why children come into foster care. The length of placement can be for short periods of time, sometimes just for a weekend, or for several years. During that time foster parents receive a small stipend for the child in order to defray the costs of food, housing and clothing, and school supplies. Medical expenses for the child are also paid by the county.