Providing care and a temporary home goes a long way in setting things right again for a child whose home life is turned upside down. Children and teenagers, whether relatives in your family or close family friends are more likely to successfully adapt to a new home environment when placed with caregivers already in their lives. When a child you know needs you the most, step in and make a world of difference.
Kinship foster care is when a child/youth comes into foster care and is temporarily placed with a relative or kin. "Kin" can be related to the child/youth by birth or have a "family-like" relationship with them, such as a close friend of the family or the child/youth's foster parent. Through kinship foster care, a child/youth can better maintain connections with family, making it the preferred resource when home removal is necessary.
Licensing is not a requirement, but kinship caregivers may choose to become licensed foster parents and qualify for monthly financial assistance to help care for a child/youth. In addition, licensed kinship caregivers may qualify for KinGAP, so kinship caregivers who may become permanent caregivers should consider becoming licensed.
The Kinship Foster Care and Guardianship Assistance Program (KinGAP) offers financial assistance and Medicaid for youth determined to be in a permanent family setting and unlikely to obtain permanency through reunification or adoption. Licensed kinship caregivers and licensed foster families willing to provide a permanent home for a youth in their care may be eligible for KinGAP.
Resources:
- Kinship Care 101
- Types of Caregivers
- Guardianship Information
- Support groups through Foster Family Alliance
- Specialized training: Ask Agencies if they offer Caring for Our Own training.
More Information: