Kinship Care
Kinship Care
Kinship care is the full-time nurturing and protection of a child by relatives, or any other adult who has a kinship bond, or long standing relationship with a child and their family. Kinship care allows families to ensure the children are safe and have a sense of belonging that maintains family connections. It is a commitment that involves being an active member of a professional team, working with Children Services, reuniting children with their parents, and to help the children achieve permanency.
Eligibility Requirements
Kinship families do not have to be involved with Children Services to be eligible for kinship services. If you have specific questions regarding kinship care in Licking County, please contact one of the Kinship Coordinators at 740.670.8735 or 740.670.8833, or by e-mail. Kinship providers must meet many of the same requirements as foster or adoptive parents.
Kinship providers must:
Be at least 18 years of age.
No change in marital status over the past year.
Provide proof of sufficient income to meet the needs of the household.
Complete BCII, FBI, and Children Services background checks with no prohibitive offenses.
Ensure children are able to attend all scheduled appointments and visitations.
Provide a safe and healthy home for a child.
Resources
Ohio Works First (OWF) Child Only Cash Assistance - Relatives and caregivers with legal custody/guardianship of a child could be eligible for OWF Child Only Cash Assistance. Please call 1-844-640-6446 to apply.
Kinship Caregiver Program (KCP) - Provides family stabilization and caregiving assistance for kinship caregivers. Stabilization funding can help pay for incidental costs incurred when beginning to care for a child unexpectedly. Caregiving funding can be provided as a reimbursement for child caring services.
Kinship Prevention, Retention & Contingency (PRC) - LCJFS provides support for kinship families through the PRC program. Support is available for housing, training, family building activities, transportation, child care, respite, and other items necessary to care for a kin child. Please contact one of the Kinship Coordinators at 740.670.8735 or 740.670.8833, or by e-mail for more information.