Kinship Care Placements

Background

SB 1262 (Senator Alquist) requires the California Judicial Council to establish a pilot project (in up to five counties) to allow AFDC-FC eligibility for a child who is placed by the court in the home of an UNLICENSED “non-relative extended family member”. Minors who are removed from their home due to abuse or neglect can be further harmed by removal from their local community, school, church and friends, which often results in runaway situations. This provision has been adopted by the state legislature to allow placements in communities where a child has been raised with persons who, while not relatives, have a close relationship with the child.

This type of placement is called “Kinship Care”.

Note: If the home can be certified and licensed, the social worker should pursue these options. When the home is certified or licensed, it is no longer considered a “Kinship Care” placement. The Aid Type must be changed.

Goals

The goals of this pilot project are to encourage placements that:

  • Are less disruptive for the child.
  • Enhance the goals of family reunification.
  • Enhance the possibility that a child will be placed with foster parents of like ethnic or racial identity and who are sensitive to the child's background, particularly those children who are bilingual or who do not speak English.

Effective Date

The effective date of this provision in Santa Clara County is January 1, 1996.

Kinship Foster Parent

A “Kinship Foster Parent” is a non-relative extended family member who is any of the following:

  • The foster child's godparent(s)
  • An adult caretaker who does not meet the AFDC-FC definition of “relative;” however, the individual has an established familial relationship with the foster child, verified by the Social Worker who must conduct at least one third-party interview with, but not limited to:
    • Relative(s) who are not part of the kinship family home
    • Teachers
    • Clergy
    • Medical professionals
    • Neighbors
    • Friends

Kinship Family Home

A “Kinship Family Home” (non-relative extended family home) is the home in which the kinship foster parent resides and where the child is being placed, as an alternative to another type of Foster Care placement.

A Kinship Family Home is NOT required to be licensed; however, certification and licensing is to be pursued by the Social Worker.

Social Worker Responsibility

  • In general, the responsibilities of the Social Worker who is making a Kinship Care placement include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Submitting a case plan for the supervision of the child.
  • Providing written certification that the home meets the health and safety needs of the child.
  • Ensuring that the Kinship Foster Parent is NOT also providing care for the child(ren) of another family. A child may, however, be placed in a Kinship Family Home with his/her siblings.
  • For purposes of this requirement, “siblings” include the foster child's sisters, brothers, half-sisters, half-brothers, stepsisters and stepbrothers who reside in the same home.

Note: If the EW should become aware that there are other persons in the home, contact the Social Worker.

  • Conducting a criminal record check on all adults living in the household. The Child Abuse Index must be checked and all adults must be fingerprinted.
  • Providing an in-person orientation for the Kinship Foster Parent(s).
  • Providing an evaluation of the Kinship Care placement (impact on child).
  • EWs are NOT required to verify that these requirements are met. They are summarized for your information.

Kinship Care Documentation

Kinship Care placements are to be identified with the following codes on the “Foster Child's Data Record and AFDC-FC Certification” (SOC 158A):

  • Line I: Facility Type = “01” Non-relative, Non-guardian
  • Line I: License Status = “05” Unlicensed/Non-pending

Note: Licensing status “05” identifies the case as a Kinship Care placement.

  • Line J: Payees Name = Kinship Care
  • Line N, Box 1 checked yes to “This home is suited to the child’s needs.”

EW Responsibility

All of the usual AFDC-FC requirements must be met, including, but not limited to:

  • Only basic Foster Care rates may be paid. Refer to 14.3.9 Aid Payments.
  • Child Support referrals are required.
  • Semiannual RVs must be completed.
  • IEVS reports will be generated.

Aid Payments

An AFDC-FC child who is placed in Kinship Care is eligible to receive basic Foster Care rates.

  • The “Clothing Allowance” may be paid if otherwise eligible.
  • “Special Care and Supervision” payments are NOT allowed.
  • A child who is placed in a Kinship Family Home outside of Santa Clara County shall be paid at the host county rate.

Ineligible for EA

Children in Kinship Care placements are NOT eligible for the EA program.

Aid Types

The following Aid Types are to be used for children in Kinship Care placements:

  • 42: Federally eligible AFDC-FC child placed in a Kinship Family Home.
  • 40: Non-federal child placed in a Kinship Family Home.

Note: All county money may be paid pending receipt of a home approval. The Director's approval is required, using the "DFCS Request Placement Expenses" (SCZ 414Z).

Medi-Cal Eligibility

Children in Kinship Care are eligible to receive Medi-Cal.

  • Aid Code 4T: Medi-Cal must be established on a separate FBU under Aid-Type “45”. Complete MC 250.

Note: A new MC 250 and an MC 13 is required annually.

  • Aid Code 4F: Will automatically issue cash-based Medi-Cal.

Termination of Kinship Care

Kinship Care ends when:

  • The Kinship Family Home becomes certified or licensed; or
  • Guardianship is established; or
  • The child leaves the placement or is ineligible for another reason (e.g., excess income, property, age).

Related Topics

Non-Relative Placements