When children are unable to remain with their parents, the agency seeks out relatives for placement. Support for these relatives is critical to preserve the placement and to prevent placing the child into foster care.
The Kinship Permanency Program provides cash assistance to children who were placed in legal custody or guardianship status of their relatives. Eligibility requirements of the program include:
- Child must be adjudicated by the juvenile court as being abused, neglected, dependent, or unruly
- Court must have awarded legal custody or guardianship on or after July 1, 2005
- Child must be considered "special needs" as defined in adoption subsidy rules
- PCSA must have approved the placement with criminal background checks and the completion of a home study evaluation
- The caregiver's gross income may not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level
If you have received legal custody or guardianship of a minor relative July 1, 2005 or thereafter, please call 740-474-3105 to inquire about the kinship program.