1. Kinship 101: Information for Relatives and “Suitable Others”
Welcome
Greet Operating Agreements/Group Norms
One person speaks at a time
Cell phones off
Open to all questions
Respect all participants starting place (their reason for interest in attending this class)

2. Agenda What is Kinship Care and Why is it so Important?
The Legal Process - Placement to Permanency
Children’s Administration’s Requirements of Kinship Care Providers
Resources and Supports

3. Introductions Your name? Number of children in your care?
Ages of children?
What would you like to walk
away with?
This is a good place to develop a parking lot of ideas from individuals.

4. What is Kinship Care and Why is it so Important?
Section 1

5. How Common is Kinship Care?
43,000+ grandparents (not including aunts and uncles)
8,382 in placement
41% (3,500) in Kinship Care
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

6. Benefits of Kinship Care
Greater Stability
Fewer Behavioral Issues
Maintain Cultural Connections
Less Traumatic

7. Challenges of Kinship Care
Family Dynamics
Change of Role
Lack of Time to Prepare for New Role
Emotional Impact
Financial Stress

8. Using Self Advocacy to Set Safe & Healthy Boundaries in Kinship Care
I Feel, I need activity

9. The Legal Process: Placement to Permanency
Section 2

10. Dependency Court VS Family Court

11. Placement Preferences in Dependency Court
State Law
Federal Law

12. This slide is to provide explanation of the formal dependency process
This slide is to provide explanation of the formal dependency process. Following the Dependency Timeline, explain the
Starting with a CPS referral. Shelter care within 72 hours (possible continuance for 30 days), Fact Finding Trial within 75 days of filing a dependency petition and within 90 days Dependency is established (in-home or out-of-home). First Dependency Hearing held within the first six months and every three to six months thereafter.
A Permanency Planning Hearing is held at the 12 month date and ongoing reviews every six months until child returned home, guardianship or temporary custody (third party custody) or adoption occurs.

13. Dependency Court Permanency Options
Dependent Children involved with CA
Return Home
Adoption
Guardianship
Non-parental Custody (3rd Party Custody)

14. Family Court Legal Options
Children not Dependents of the State
Non-parental Custody
Temporary Parental Consent Agreement
Adoption

15. Children’s Administration’s Requirements for Kinship Care Providers
Section 3

16. Is an in-depth evaluation to ensure that children will be cared for by a family that is able to meet their unique needs and provide a safe, stable and nurturing home environment.
All families, foster and kinship, must complete a home study!
The Home Study

17. The Home Study Process Application
Includes:
Application
Criminal history background check on all people over 16 residing in the home
Child abuse and criminal clearances
Personal information
Medical statements
Income/financial statement
Marital History Form
References
Contacts with licensing social worker (four contacts including at least one in the family home)
Home inspection

18. Confidentiality Reminder
Information You Receive
Information You Can Share

19. Caregiver’s Responsibilities

20. Know Your Rights Notification of meetings and court dates
Provide input at court
Receive timely communication from CA
Know the resolution process

21. Resources and Supports
Legal Information
Financial Assistance
Licensing
Health/Mental Health
Educational Supports
Community Resources
Support Groups
Section 4

22. Financial Assistance

23. Adoption Support
CA Involved Families
Post adoption financial supports may be available on a case by case basis.

24. R-GAP (Relative Guardianship Assistance Program)
What is R-GAP?
A subsidy program for children in a guardianship with relatives licensed by the Division of Licensed Resources (DLR).

25. Licensing Benefits Foster Care Payment Respite Care
CA Involved Families, with Court Supervision
Foster Care Payment
Respite Care
Foster Parent Reimbursement Program
Extended Foster Care
Support from Licensor
Handout: Foster Care Licensing for Relatives DSHS

26. Medical Services Medical Insurance Mental Health Dental Care
Coordinated Care
DSHS x Consent to Health Care for the Child in Your Care
Local community mental health facility.
Access to Baby and Child Dentistry.
Washington Information Network (WIN) Phone: for Information and Referral Specialist (to find local dental contacts)
Washington State Department of Health
To find local Mental Health, Disabilities, and Chemical Dependency
DSHS Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
DSHS Family Liaison for Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery

27. Educational Supports
Early Intervention Services for children birth to three.
Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program (ECEAP)
Head Start Program
The Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO)
Treehouse Educational Services

28. Local Supports Local and Online Support Groups
Resources you found helpful?

29. Statewide Resources

30. Questions and Wrap Up Today we covered:
What is Kinship Care and Why is it so important?
The Legal Process– Placement to Permanency
Children’s Administration’s Requirements of Kinship Care Providers
Resources and Supports
Any other questions?