Kinship Care
NATIONAL RESOURCES:
Generations United advocates for families in which children are being raised by grandparents or other family members (https://www.gu.org/explore-our-topics/grandfamilies/).
Grandfamilies.org provides free access to resources that support grand families and educate individuals about State kinship laws (http://grandfamilies.org/).
The Grandkin Guide: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for Relatives Raising Children explains what extended family members can expect when they are asked to step in and care for children (https:// newfoundva.org/images/stories/documents/TheGrandKinGuide_lowres.pdf).
Grand Resource: Help for Grandfamilies Impacted by Opioids and Other Substance Use offers tips on how to engage with birth parents, practice self-care, address childhood trauma, etc. (https://www.gu.org/resources/grand-resource-help-for-grandfamilies-impacted-by-opioids-and-other-substance-use/).
Kinship Caregivers and the Child Welfare System explains how relative caregivers can work effectively with the child welfare system (https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f-kinshi/).
Partnering with Birth Parents to Support Reunification explores how caregivers can partner with parents to promote family reunification (https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets-families-partnerships/).
Taking Care of Yourself: Tips for Kinship Care Providers helps relative caregivers identify their strengths, understand the impacts of trauma, and avoid burnout (https://cssp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/ Self-Care-for-Kinship-Care-Providers.pdf).
Help Guide: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren explores key issues about the practical and emotional challenges of assuming kinship care (https://www.helpguide.org/articles/parenting-family/ grandparents-raising-grandchildren.htm).
The Kinship Care section of the Information Gateway website provides a list of resources to support kinship care (https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/outofhome/kinship/).
The Reunifying Families section of the Information Gateway website provides a list of resources to support family reunification (https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/permanency/reunification/).
STATE RESOURCES: CALIFORNIA
Senior Legal Hotline of Legal Services of California Website: https://lsnc.net/slh
Phone: 1-800-222-1753 (toll-free), Sacramento County: 916-551-2140
Service Area: Northern California- Sacramento, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sierra, Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Plumas, Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, Lake, Mendocino, Solano and Yolo County.
Description: Legal advice by phone or email about guardianship petitions for people over 60 or low-income residents of Northern California.
California Community Colleges, Foster and Kinship Care Education Program Website
https://www.cccco.edu/About-Us/Chancellors-Office/Divisions/Educational-Services-andSupport/Student-Service/What-we-do/Foster-and-Kinship-Care-Education
Phone: 916-445-8752 Email: FKCEhelp@cccco.edu
Service Area: 57 participating community colleges throughout the state Description: Resource parents’ pre-approval and annual training
California Department of Social Services – Approved Relative Caregiver (ARC) Program Website:
www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/foster-care/approved-relative-care
Phone: 916-651-7465, or go to www.cdss.ca.gov/County-Offices
Service Area: Statewide Description:
Monthly payments equal to the state foster care rate for approved relative caregivers of eligible foster children California Department of Social Services -
Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Foster Care (AFDC-FC) Website: www.cdss.ca.gov
Phone: 1-877-846-1602, www.cdss.ca.gov/County-Offices Email: fosterfamilyhelp@dss.ca.gov
Service Area: Statewide Description: Monthly payments equal to the state foster care rate for eligible children
Help with Public Benefits AARP Foundation’s Benefits QuickLink Benefits
QuickLINK, powered by Benefits Check Up of the National Council on Aging, offers a free and private way to complete a questionnaire to find out if relatives and/or the children they are raising qualify for certain programs that pay for food, increase income and cover home and healthcare costs. www.aarp.org/quicklink
Benefits.gov An official website of the federal government, this resource has state specific information on benefits, in addition to a screening tool to find out which programs you may be eligible to receive.
Social Security A multigenerational program, Social Security provides income benefits to adults, older adults and children. In addition to Retirement and Disability benefits, Survivor’s Benefits are based on a child’s parent’s earnings and may help if a child’s parents die. Your grandchild may also qualify for benefits based on your work record. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. SSI benefits are also payable to people 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial limits. Online Directory - To find your local Social Security Administration office. 1-800-772-1213 (toll-free) https://secure.ssa.gov
Eldercare Locator: The National Eldercare Locator service helps you find your local area agency on aging and other state and local resources that can help with public benefits, local programs and other services for older adults. 1-800-677-1116 (toll-free) eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) SNAP is the new name for the federal Food Stamp Program. It helps low-income individuals and families buy the food they need for good health. Although SNAP is the national name, your state may use a different name. CalFresh Program California Department of Social Services 916-657-2128 Email: piar@dss.ca.gov www.cdss.ca.gov/calfresh To apply online – Go to www.benefitscal.org/.
Food and Nutrition Services of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child Nutrition Program Contact the school, center or program to ask if they participate in any of the child nutrition programs and how to apply. Relative caregivers should inform the program that they are raising the child and whether or not they are doing so through a court order. Online State Directory - To find your state office that manages the Child Nutrition Program. www.fns.usda.gov/contacts
Women, Infant and Children (WIC) - States administer federal funds for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breast feeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk. Online State Directory - To find your state office that manages the WIC program. www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-contacts
Foodbanks - Organizations that provide free food and sometimes other items, such as diapers, to families in need.
Online State Directory - To find local food banks. www.feedingamerica.org/foodbank-results.aspx
Medi-Cal California Department of Health Care Services www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/default.aspx To apply online – Go to www.benefitscal.org/
Consent to Obtain Health Care. Even with insurance, consenting to health care for a child can be a challenge for relative caregivers who do not have legal custody. Some states have laws that allow these caregivers to “consent” to such treatment. California has such a law, and your “caregiver’s affidavit” form can be found here: allianceforchildrensrights.org/resources/caregivers-affidavit/
TAX CREDITS:
The following information is about tax credits from the federal government available throughout the United States. Similar tax credits may exist in your state for state taxes. For example, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), 29 states and the District of Columbia offer a state tax credit based on the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and four states offer a Child Tax Credit. See CBPP’s “Get it Back Campaign” for more information on state tax credits.
The U.S. Department of Education offers a parent site that has a wide range of helpful information for parents and caregivers regarding children’s education from early childhood through college, special needs, disabilities, language challenges and gifted students. 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) (toll-free) www.ed.gov/parents
California Department of Education 916-319-0800 www.cde.ca.gov/
Educational Enrollment Relative caregivers can contact their local school district’s administrative office or their local school to find out how to register the child and what paperwork is needed. Caregivers may need birth records, health records or previous school records. Some states have laws that allow relative caregivers without legal custody or guardianship to enroll the children they are raising in school. These laws are often called education “consent” laws, but they may be called something else in your state.
Grandfamilies.org Online Database - To find out if your state has an education consent law. www.grandfamilies.org/Search-Laws
Early Intervention, Special Education and Related Services The Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) - From birth to age 21, children who have learning disabilities, physical disabilities or other special needs may be able to get early intervention, preschool and special education services in school through the federal IDEA. Services may include speech, physical and occupational therapies.
GRANDFACTS:
California PAGE 12 California Department of Education, Special Education 916-319-0800 www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/
Early Start California Department of Developmental Services 800-515-2229 earlystart@dds.ca.gov www.dds.ca.gov/services/early-start/
Parent Centers across the country provide information to help parents and caregivers with children who have special education needs and disabilities.
Online State Directory - To find Parent Centers in your state. www.parentcenterhub.org/find-your-center/
Generations United’s Grand Resources: A Grandparent’s and Other Relative’s Guide to Raising Children with Disabilities www.gu.org/resources/
Early Childhood Education Head Start and Early Head Start are early education programs for eligible children. Online Directory - To find Head Start or Early Head Start centers in your state. 1-866-763-6481 (toll-free) eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/center-locator
Child Care Aware provides information, resources and connection to local Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (CCR&R) that help you find local child care. Online Directory - To find your local Child Care Resource & Referral Agency. 800-424-2246 (toll-free) www.childcareaware.org/families/
GUARDIANSHIP
The biggest difference between adoption and guardianship is that guardianship does not take away all the birth parents’ rights and responsibilities. Parents typically keep certain rights and the obligation to financially support the child. Unlike adoption, the parents can go back to court and ask for the guardianship to be ended. For caregivers, a guardianship allows them to access services on behalf of the child that otherwise might prove impossible while not changing family relationships, like making grandma legally mom.
Subsidized Guardianship- California has an approved Title IV-E Guardian Assistance Program (Kin-GAP) cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/foster-care/kinship-guardianship-assistanc3
Grandfamilies.org is a collaboration between Generations United, the American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law and Casey Family Programs. It contains an easy-to-use, searchable database of state laws and legislation directly impacting kinship families. You will also find explanations of legal topic areas, practical implementation ideas, personal stories and many other resources. Topics Covered: • Adoption • Care and Custody • Education • Federal Laws • Foster Care Licensing • Financial Assistance • Healthcare • Housing • Kinship Navigator Programs • National Family Caregiver Support Program • Notification of Relatives • Subsidized Guardianship The online database of laws and legislation is at www.grandfamilies.org/Search-Laws
DEL NORTE COUNTY RESOURCES
TrustLine : http://trustline.org/
CA Resource & Referral Network: www.rrnetwork.org
Department of Social Services, Child Care Licensing Laws and Regulations: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/resources-for-providers/laws-and-regulations
SafeKids USA: www.safekids.org/
NHTSA: www.nhtsa.gov
First 5 Del Norte: www.delnortekids.org
Connect Del Norte: https://connectdelnorte.org/
Prepare Del Norte Website: http://preparedelnorte.com/
Emergency Services Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/DelNorteOfficeOfEmergencyServices
CDSS, Care Provider Management Bureau- Guardian: https://guardian.dss.ca.gov/
Parent Voices: www.parentvoices.org
Del Norte Unified School District: www.delnorte.k12.ca.us
PBIS: https://www.pbis.org
Dept. of Health & Human Services: http://www.co.del-norte.ca.us/departments/health-human-services
Del Norte Superior Court: http://www.delnorte.courts.ca.gov/
Child Care Law Center: https://www.childcarelaw.org/
Curiosity Corner: https://www.facebook.com/watch/dnusd/447949969655335/
It is the mission of the Foster and Kinship Care Education Program at College of the Redwoods to provide quality education and support opportunities to caregivers of children and youth in out-of-home care so that these providers may meet the educational, emotional, behavioral and developmental needs of children and youth in the foster care system. Phone (707) 476-4455 Email: foster-kinship@redwoods.edu
OREGON RESOURCES: CURRY & COOS COUNTIES
Key Programs in Oregon Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) of Oregon Website: www.adrcoforegon.org/consumersite/index.php
Resource Guide: https://adrcoforegon.org/pdf/the%20grandparents%20guide.pdf Phone: 1-855-673-2372 (toll-free) Email: ADRC.WebMessages@state.or.us
Service Area: Statewide
Description: A free service that offers a single landing page for information and assistance on issues affecting older adults and people with disabilities, regardless of income. Find your local ADRC/Area Agency on Aging below:
Oregon Coast Community Action Website: www.orcca.us/ Phone: 541-425-7080 Email: info@orcca.us
Service Area: Coos and Curry Counties
KEEP for Kin Website: www.keepfostering.org Email: keep@oslc.org. Service Area: Statewide
Description: 16-week support and skill enhancement program and for kinship parents not involved with
Oregon DHS using trauma-informed framework of curriculum. Groups meet virtually
Oregon Kinship Navigator Website: https://oregonkinshipnavigator.org/ Phone: 833-201-5557 Email: info@oregonkinshipnavigator.org
Service Area: Statewide Description: Resource and referral service for relative caregivers. Can assist caregivers in accessing benefits, legal services and local resources. Hosts a twice-monthly virtual support group
Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center (ORPARC) Website: www.orparc.org Phone: 503-241-0799; or 1-800-764-8367 (toll-free)
Email: orparc@nwresource.org Service Area: Statewide
Description: Offers services at no cost to: DHS adoptive families, assisted guardianship families, and Oregon families who have adopted through any state’s child welfare system. ORPARC offers: (1) information, assistance and referral; (2) consultation, advocacy and support; (3) parent education and trainings; (4) a seasonal newsletter; (5) Adoptive and Foster Parent Lending Library; (6) assistance in developing and administering adoptive parenting support groups; (7) web resources; and, (8) resources in Spanish for adoptive and assisted guardianship families.
Oregon State University Extension Service-Youth, Families and Health, Parenting Resources
Website: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/families-health/parenting
Ask a parenting expert: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/ask-expert
Service Area: Statewide Description: Online database of general and legal parenting resource guides
Eldercare Locator The National Eldercare Locator service helps you find your local area agency on aging and other state and local resources that can help with public benefits, local programs and other services for older adults. 1-800-677-1116 (toll-free) eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx
Social Security A multigenerational program, Social Security provides income benefits to adults, older adults and children. In addition to Retirement and Disability benefits, Survivor’s Benefits are based on a child’s parent’s earnings and may help if a child’s parents die. Your grandchild may also qualify for benefits based on your work record. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. SSI benefits are also payable to people 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial limits.
Online Directory - To find your local Social Security Administration office. 1-800-772-1213 (toll-free) http://secure.ssa.gov/
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) SNAP is the new name for the federal Food Stamp Program. It helps low-income individuals and families buy the food they need for good health. Although SNAP is the national name, your state may use a different name.
Oregon Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Department of Human Services 503-945-6214
www.oregon.gov/DHS/ASSISTANCE/FOOD-BENEFITS
Food and Nutrition Services of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Online State Directory - To find your state office that manages the Child Nutrition Program. www.fns.usda.gov/contacts
Women, Infant and Children (WIC) - States administer federal funds for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.
Online State Directory - To find your state office that manages the WIC program. www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-contacts
Foodbanks Organizations that provide free food and sometimes other items, such as diapers, to families in need. Online State Directory - To find local food banks. www.feedingamerica.org/foodbank-results.aspx
Key Public Benefits: Health Care Relative caregivers and the children they are raising may be eligible for health insurance through Medicare and/or Medicaid and help with prescription drugs. Benefits QuickLINK can help you find these benefits. www.aarp.org/quicklink
Health Insurance for Children Relative caregivers may apply for free or low-cost health and dental insurance for the children they are raising through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provides health coverage to eligible children through both Medicaid and separate CHIP programs. CHIP and Medicaid are the national names, and your state may use different names.
Oregon Health Plan (OHP) www.oregon.gov/oha/hsd/ohp/Pages/index.aspx
Education The U.S. Department of Education offers a parent site that has a wide range of helpful information for parents and caregivers regarding children’s education from early childhood through college, special needs, disabilities, language challenges and gifted students. 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) (toll-free) www.ed.gov/parents
Oregon Department of Education 503-947-5600 Email: ode.frontdesk@ode.state.or.us www.oregon.gov/ode
Educational Enrollment Relative caregivers can contact their local school district’s administrative office or their local school to find out how to register the child and what paperwork is needed. Caregivers may need birth records, health records or previous school records. Some states have laws that allow relative caregivers without legal custody or guardianship to enroll the children they are raising in school. These laws are often called education “consent” laws, but they may be called something else in your state.
Grandfamilies.org Online Database – To find out if your state has an education consent law. www.grandfamilies.org/Search-Laws
Early Childhood Education
Head Start and Early Head Start are early education programs for eligible children.
Online Directory - To find Head Start or Early Head Start centers in your state.
1-866-763-6481 (toll-free)
eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/center-locator
Child Care Aware provides information, resources and connection to local Child Care Resource and
Referral Agencies (CCR&R) that help you find local child care.
Online Directory - To find your local Child Care Resource & Referral Agency.
800-424-2246 (toll-free)
www.childcareaware.org/families/
Guardianship
The biggest difference between adoption and guardianship is that guardianship does not take away all
the birth parents’ rights and responsibilities. Parents typically keep certain rights and the obligation to
financially support the child. Unlike adoption, the parents can go back to court and ask for the
guardianship to be ended. For caregivers, a guardianship allows them to access services on behalf of the
child that otherwise might prove impossible while not changing family relationships, like making
grandma legally mom.
Subsidized Guardianship- Oregon has an approved Title IV-E Guardianship Assistance Program
www.oregon.gov/DHS/CHILDREN/ADOPTION/Pages/Guardianship-Assistance-Program.aspx
Curry County
Every Child programs and activities include assembling welcome boxes and launch boxes for foster
youth entering and exiting the foster system, volunteer recruitment to support our foster care community,
and hospitality services for ODHS-Child Welfare staff. In response to COVID-19, Every Child also
launched My NeighbOR, a community response effort enabling families to submit needs and the
community to donate toward meeting these needs in real time.
Bonnie Ell or Mendy Hayne at everychildcurry@unitedwayswo.org
Coos County
Grant Crim at everychildcoos@unitedwayswo.org
The Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) is providing culturally-specific KEEP groups to
DHS and tribally-certified foster and kinship families across Oregon. Click here to get connected.
. KEEP® is an evidence-based support and skill enhancement program for foster and kinship parents of
children (KEEP Standard) and teens (KEEP SAFE™). The program supports foster families by promoting
child well-being and preventing placement breakdowns.
Numerous studies have shown that many of today’s foster children have complex and serious behavioral
and mental health problems that put them at risk for negative long-term outcomes. The enormous
potential of these young people and the tough challenges faced by foster and kinship parents inspired the
development of the KEEP model.
What is a KEEP group?
7-12 foster/kinship parents and 2 trained group leaders
16 weekly, 90-minute sessions
Evidence-based parenting curriculum tailored to each group’s specific needs
KEEP is trauma-informed
Refreshments, childcare, and other incentives provided
KEEP groups in Curry County:
Options Counseling
Nicki Fox-Morse
nicki.fox-morse@options.org
541-221-7094
COOS HEALTH AND WELLNESS
281 LaClair Street
Coos Bay, OR 97420
541.266.6700
Public health, behavioral health, community resources.
https://cooshealthandwellness.org/
OREGON COAST COMMUNITY ACTION
1855 Thomas Ave.
Coos Bay, OR 97420
541.435.7080
Oregon Coast Community Action provides services and resources; helping people in need,
fostering self-sufficiency, and empowering individuals and families.
https://www.orcca.us/
PFLAG
Coos Bay
541.361.6453
Our mission is to build on a foundation of loving families united with LGBTQ people and allies
who support one another, and to educate ourselves and our communities to speak up as
advocates until all hearts and minds respect, value and affirm LGBTQ people.
https://pflag.org/chapter/pflag-coos-baysouth-coast
SOUTH COAST FAMILIES FIRST
225 LaClair Street
Coos Bay, OR 97420
541.435.7080 ext. 248
Family Support and Connections visits are designed to strengthen families and support
effective parenting for families receiving TANF benefits in Coos and Curry County with children
birth through 18 years of age in the home. This family-designed program focuses on keeping
families together and helping them achieve both individual and family goals. The Emergency
Support program has helped over 35 families with a variety of needs including rent assistance,
utility assistance, debt relief, car repairs, gas cards and more.
https://www.orcca.us/southcoastfamiliesfirst
Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation
Community and Family Wellness Services:
Family Services Manager: Susan Smith, 707-487-9255 ex. 1192 susan.smith@tolowa.com
TANF – Lacey Martinez, 707-487-9255 edx.1131, lacey.martinez@tolowa.com
UIHS – 707-487-0215