Cuyahoga County is launching a kinship support program in 2021 to support kinship caregivers. The Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will issue, $10.20 per child, per day in kinship stipend payments for children in agency custody after the State of Ohio payments have terminated.

You are eligible for KSP payments when:

• The child is in the temporary, permanent, or legal custody of the public children services agency (PCSA), in this instance Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services (CCDCFS)
• The child is placed by the PCSA as a kinship placement in your home, and
• You are not licensed as a foster caregiver.

It is only available to someone who takes a “kinship” placement for a child in Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services custody. It is not available to families that make their own custody arrangements, safety plans that are not authorized or paid foster care placements.

Kinship care is the preferred method of care by Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services if a child cannot be safely cared for in their own home without court intervention. Kinship care refers to a placement in which a relative or any non-relative adult who has a long-standing relationship or bond with the child and/or family has taken over the full-time care of a child whose parent/caregiver is unable or unwilling to provide for their care and safety.

Kinship care is preferred because it help the child maintain a connection to their family and the world they know. We know from experience and research children are more likely to thrive in the care of someone connected to them. Kinship care can also help in keeping the child connected to family, friends, neighborhood and school, and could assist with reunification efforts.

Cuyahoga County has always known supporting kinship caregivers is best practice. Keeping children with family or someone else close to them is preferred. This is best for families and children. The funding has finally become available to initiate financial support.

One key to the success of a kinship placement is the caregiver’s financial ability to provide for the child. This is assessed at the time of placement. If a kinship caregiver is determined to be appropriate to care for the child, but does not have the financial ability, there is limited financial support available. Many kin are grandparents who are on a fixed income and they would love to care for their grandchildren, but it is a financial hardship.

There is no application process for the E-KSP payments.

You will receive E-KSP payment from DCFS once all payments have been exhausted from the State of Ohio KSP program. Cuyahoga County will continue payment until you become a licensed foster caregiver, until the child is no longer placed in your home as a kinship placement, or termination of custody has occurred.

• Call the Foster/Adoptive Recruitment Information line at 216-881-5775 to receive information on the licensing process and/or to register for Preservice Orientation Training.
• Prospective Foster/Adoptive Caregivers will need to complete 24 hours of Preservice Orientation Training and complete a Home Study Assessment. The home study can take 4 to 6 months and can start while you are still in training.
• Visit us at www.everychildneedsfamily.com to learn more about becoming a Licensed Foster Caregiver in Cuyahoga County.