H.R. 2188 would establish kinship navigator programs, and it would establish kinship guardianship assistance payments for children.
Detailed Summary
Kinship Caregiver Support Act - Authorizes the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible entities to pay for the federal share of the cost of carrying out kinship navigator programs.
Amends part E (Federal Payments for Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to authorize all states to opt to enter agreements to provide kinship guardianship assistance payments on behalf of children to grandparents and other relatives who have assumed legal guardianship of children for whom they have cared as foster parents and have committed to care for on a permanent basis.
Provides that adoptive parents of children with special needs remain eligible for adoption assistance, even if they receive kinship guardianship assistance.
Authorizes the use of foster care independence program funds to provide independent living services and education and training vouchers for children who exit foster care to kinship guardianship or adoption after age 14.
Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements with eligible entities to conduct demonstration kinship guardianship assistance projects.
Requires states to: (1) notify all adult grandparents and other adult relatives (with exceptions due to family or domestic violence) when a child is removed from custody of a parent or parents; and (2) explain the options the relative has to participate in the child's care and placement.
Allows state agencies to establish separate standards for foster family homes in which a foster parent is a relative of the foster child.
Expands the definition of family support services to include assisting kinship caregivers or guardians in locating and accessing needed services.
Requires that states inform case workers and families considering guardianship of all permanency options and service eligibility.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 9/19/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
clynnholden@yahoo.com
I the caregiver of my beautiful niece and have been for 9 years. I think this bill should pass and allow children to stay within their family without having to worry about whether it is affordable or not.
"What Do You Do? from Memphis TN.
It is amazing the world we live in today. The amount of money spent on helping other countries and the little money spent on our furture does not compare. Here I sit in a financial crunch: single mother of two and my three nieces that I have custody of. The TN Child Protective Services and the Department of Human Services have been of little help and demonstrates an “I don’t care attitude.” Relatives should not have to worry about finances when they have the well being of that child to worry about for the rest of their lives. Just to define where your money goes: home, counseling, transportation, school/college, school activities, tutoring, clothing, toiletries and food. Times this by 5 in my life. The bill should definetly be past, just in case my statements were unclear.
Colorado does not care
WE LIVE IN ASTATE THAT DOES NOT WANT TO LISTEN WE HE UES ALL OF OUR 401K AND SAVINGS TO RAISE OUR GRANDGIRLS AND WE ONLY GET 311.00 FRO ALL THREE. THAT MEANS 99.00 PER CHIL PER MONTH. NO FOOD STAMPS WE HAVE ASK OUR GOVERNOR TO TALK AND NO ANWSER FROM HIM,NOW HE WANTS TO RAISE THE MONEY THAT FOSTERPARENTS THAT IS UNFAIR TO US . THIS LAW SHOULD GO THROUGH NOW!!!!!!