Kinship Care Subsidy Programs

Programs that provide one-time transitional monetary support and/or an ongoing maintenance subsidy to help meet the needs of children who are in the custody of grandparents, aunts and uncles or other relatives, members of a child's tribe or clan, godparents, stepparents, neighbors, friends of the family or other kinship caregivers. The programs have different eligibility requirements for children and caregivers which may relate to the child's age, the legal status of the caregiver relative to the child, the length of time the child has been in the caregiver's custody, the relationship of the family with the child welfare system and the prospects for adoption or family reunification. Criminal background checks and home studies may be required, and income requirements (for the caregiver) may apply. Included are subsidized guardianship programs that provide financial assistance and supports that are limited to situations where the caregivers are legal guardians and those that have broader criteria that include less formal relationships.