When children cannot remain safely with their parents, grandparents, other relatives, and close family unit friends oft stride upwards to help raise them. There accept been a lot of changes over the last few months in Kentucky effectually services and supports related to relatives and close family friends raising children, also known every bit kinship care and fictive kin care.

To learn more, check out the Cabinet for Health and Family unit Services' new KY FACES website.

If you recently began caring for a kid as a result of Section for Community Based Services (DCBS) intervention, click here for boosted data related to services and supports that may be available to y'all.

Here are the biggest recent changes:

  • A new option for relative foster care
  • Expanded services for relative and fictive kin caregivers

A New Selection for Relative Foster Care

On Apr 1, 2019, DCBS began a new foster intendance type chosen a Child Specific Foster Home, which gives new relative and fictive kin caregivers the pick to pursue approval as a foster parent. Of import details of note:

  • The new approving type reduces requirements for relative and fictive kin caregivers to become licensed foster parents.
  • If the caregiver chooses foster parenting, the kid must come into DCBS custody from the home of removal.
  • If the family is pursuing foster parenting and the child is in DCBS custody, the caregiver is eligible for a $six.00 per diem with the advisable paperwork.
  • If the relative/fictive kin caregiver chooses to pursue condign a foster parent, DCBS staff will explicate the dissimilar requirements and fostering options of either of a Kid Specific Foster Dwelling house or a DCBS Basic Foster Home to the relative/fictive kin caregiver.
  • The $vi.00 per diem will go on until the relative/fictive kin caregiver is approved as a foster home, at which time the per diem will increment based on their approval type.

(Source: DCBS SOPs—Relative/Fictive Kin Service Assortment Tip Canvass)

Expanded Services for Relative and Fictive Kin Caregivers

This service array, equally DCBS calls it, includes a comprehensive list of services and supports available to caregivers. It as well offers them a selection almost what kind of caregiver they want to exist classified every bit, which impacts the types of aid they can receive.

Under the new service plan, equally soon as DCBS caseworkers connect with a relative or fictive kin caregiver, they will share all custodial options, related services, and permanency options for the family unit. Caregivers will brand their selections from the menu of options based on their own preferences and the known and anticipated needs of the child. This service card is responsive to all families and incorporates services and do good programs, including:

  • Cash assist
  • Medicaid/wellness insurance
  • Respite care
  • Kid care
  • Foster care
  • Placement supports, and
  • Post-permanency supports.

Relative and kin caregivers who practise not want any of the "strings" that come along with public funds and exercise not seek authorities intrusion whatsoever further in their lives can cull not to select assist. Conversely, relative and fictive kin caregivers tin can cull to become a foster parent, as explained in a higher place, if that pick best meets their preferences and the kid'due south actual or predictable needs.

(Source: https://chfs.ky.gov/News/Documents/caywoodeditorial.pdf)

If you have questions nigh this data, please contact DCBS at (877) 565-5608 or via email relative.supports@ky.gov.

Learn more about kinship care in Kentucky in this infographic.