Kinship Care Information
What is Kinship Care:
Foster care is designed to provide temporary care, supervision, and support to children who cannot live at home because they have been abused or neglected by their parents. The Larimer County Kinship Program assists family and friends of the children to become their foster parents, or "kin providers". Children who are eligible have a current open case and their temporary custody is with the Department of Human Services. We believe that children should remain with family whenever they are available and appropriate.A growing number of children in the foster care system are cared for by their relatives. Relatives have no legal obligation to become children's caregivers, but kin are increasingly likely to exercise their responsibility to their extended family members.
How do I become a Kinship Caregiver?
Law requires kinship caregivers to complete the requirements of standard foster care with some elements being specific to kin families. It will be your responsibility to do the following:
- Complete 27 hours of training through "Traditions of Caring" offered here at the Department;
- Become CPR and First Aid certified;
- Complete an original application to care for children and other policy agreements and paperwork;
- Authorization for the Department to complete local law enforcement checks, Trails database of abuse/neglect, and Colorado Bureau of investigations checks with fingerprints;
- Complete a Home Study Assessment conducted by one of our trained Kinship Specialists that includes a home inspection;
- Provide health exams and a copy of a driver's license, auto registration, and auto insurance for the adults in the home;
- Work closely with the Department to ensure the child's safety.
Our booth at the 2006 New West Fest
In addition to Medicaid services for the child, the Department reimburses for the care of the child on a monthly basis.
Since the requirements of this program are intense and time consuming, our staff strives to offer support and resources to assist in any way possible.
Here is an outline of the training that we provide:
- Introduction to A Tradition of Caring
- Understanding the Child Welfare Services System
- Supporting Healthy Development and Managing Loss
- Identifying and Meeting Special Needs
- Providing Guidance and Discipline
- Maintaining Family Connections
- Connecting Children to Safe, Nurturing, Lifelong Relationships
- The Kinship Experience: Family Change
In addition to these, the Kinship Program provides a monthly newsletter, additional training opportunities, and support and referrals for services for the family.
If you have questions regarding the Kinship Program, please contact Jane Looney at 498-6586.