Kinship Care
Kinship Care is when a relative or non-relative has taken over the full-time care, nurturing and protection of a child. The definition for kinship caregivers also goes beyond the scope of blood relatives and may include an adult who has a familiar relationship/bond with the child and/or family.
Franklin County Children Services coordinates several programs that provide support and resources for kinship families.
Kinship Navigator Program
211 or 1.866.389.2273
Email
Franklin County Children Services contracts with a local nonprofit agency called FIRSTLINK to operate the Kinship Navigator Program. In this unique program, Kinship Navigators assist kinship families in identifying local resources and support services as well as navigating various social service systems. Through this program, families have access to community resource information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in regard to: child care, clothing, emergency food, counseling, health care, legal rights, public assistance, respite care, support groups and a myriad of other services.
Kinship Assistance Program
614.221.6766, ext 127
Email
Franklin County Children Services also works with Firstlink to provide assistance to kinship families who have had children placed in their homes by Children Services. Through the Kinship Assistance Program families can apply for the following services:
- Clothing
- Housing/Rent Assistance
- Bus Passes
- Beds
Franklin County Children Services Kinship Program
614.341.6175
Email
Families can receive assistance with respite and summer day camp.
Kinship Permanency Incentive Program (KPI)
Kinship families who obtained legal custody or guardianship of a child on or after July 1, 2005 may be eligible to receive a cash payment up to $3,500 over a three-year period. KPI is a state initiative and families can apply through their local children service agency. Franklin County Children Services also offers matching funds to further assist kinship families who applied for state KPI assistance after October 1, 2006. To be eligible the youth had to be under the custody of Franklin County Children Services prior to the kinship family obtaining legal custody. Families are eligible for the Children Services’ matching funds ($500 at each 6 month interval, not to exceed $2,500) at redeterminination for the state KPI program. Franklin County residents can contact Franklin County Children Services at 614.341.6035 for information about both programs.
