This may mean the children are involved in an assessment as victims of child abuse or neglect and they may need to stay in foster care or with relatives. The family case manager will explain your caregiving role and responsibilities.
Call DCS at 1-800-800-5556 or go to your county DCS office and ask to speak with the family case manager to determine the next steps.
DCS is responsible for the child and you are the temporary placement if you have gained custody through DCS. Guardianship is a legal process giving you custody of the child, and DCS is usually not involved.
Nationwide research has shown children who have been removed from their biological parents have better outcomes, less disruption and are able to maintain family ties when they are placed with relatives or other kinship (such as step parents, or close family friends).
You can talk with your grandchild/relative’s teacher or school principal about your concerns. You can also reach out to the family case manager is assigned to your case.
Call 1-800-800-5556 at any time (24/7) for any kind of assistance. If there is a true emergency, all 911.
SNAP benefits are based on your income. You may be eligible for SNAP if you qualify financially. You can apply on the FSSA Benefits Portal If you are already receiving SNAP, you can add the child to your case.
Usually, yes. Children who have been placed in a relative caregiver’s home by DCS will be eligible because eligibility is based on the child’s income. However certain other requirements must be met, and may include your age and whether the child is a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted immigrant. You can apply on the FSSA Benefits Portal.
TANF is an income-based eligibility program that may be based on the child’s income. You must be able to prove your identity, residency, degree of relation to child, citizenship and more. Applying for TANF may take up to 45 days. You can apply on the FSSA Benefits Portal.
If you are 65 years old, blind or disabled, you need medical assistance or assistance paying with your Medicare premium (and you meet the income/resources limit), then you may be eligible for Medicaid under the ABD (Aged, Blinded and Disabled) Medicaid. You can apply on the FSSA Benefits Portal for more information.
You may be able to get a daily stipend for child care expenses if you are employed or a student. Please contact your family case manager for more information. You may also be eligible for child care vouchers if you are employed or seeking employment. To apply for child care vouchers, you will have to visit your local intake center. To find your local center, please see Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA).
Call 211. This hotline will connect you with trained, professional counselors who can help you get the services needed for you or someone you know who is in emotional distress, a suicidal crisis or who has other problems with mental health, drugs or alcohol. Your family case manager can also assist with this need.
Yes, the Department of Child Services has services available to help locate parents or other relatives. Talk to you family case manager to get assistance.
To locate a support group in your area, contact your family case manager or call 211.
No, DCS cannot provide housing vouchers, however they may be able to refer you to another community partner or provide services to help with your housing need.
You can leave the child with another family member or babysitter, however each person who takes care of the child may be asked to complete a limited criminal history and child protective services check. Contact your family case manager for more information.
Unlicensed kinship caregivers are eligible to receive a monthly stipend. Learn more about the stipend here.
You will be provided with an authorization for care and a placement letter that will authorize you to seek medical care for children in your care from the family case manager.
You may gain custody of the children, however, there is a legal process involved. DCS’s goal is always reunification of children with their parents, however, if that can’t happen, the DCS’s next step would be to look into relative care as an option for permanent case closure.
Someone will come to your home at least every other month, but may come as often as every 30 days.
