TANF Purpose 1: To provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives
In accordance with Section 307.100 of Amended Substitute House Bill 166 of the 133rd General Assembly, the Allen County Kinship Caregiver Program was created. This program is intended to provide reasonable and necessary relief of child caring functions so that kinship caregivers, as defined in ORC 5101.85, can provide and maintain a home for a child in place of a child’s parents. This is a program that is a joint effort between Allen County Job and Family Services and Allen County Children Services.
As used in sections 5101.851 to 5101.853 of the Revised Code, “kinship caregiver” means any of the following who is 18 years of age or older and is caring for a child in place of the child’s parents:
(A) The following individuals related by blood or adoption to the child:
- Grandparents, including grandparents with the prefix “great,” “great-great,” or “great-great-great”;
- Siblings;
- Aunts, uncles, nephews, and nieces, including such relatives with the prefix “great,” “great-great,” “grand,” or “great-grand”;
- First cousins and first cousins once removed.
(B) Stepparents and step-siblings of the child;
(C) Spouses and former spouses of individuals named in divisions (A) and (B) of this section;
(D) A legal guardian of the child;
(E) A legal custodian of the child.
Services:
Stabilization Services: designed to transition the child into and maintain the child in the home of the kinship caregiver. Examples of stabilization benefits include, but are not limited to child care services not to exceed four months; or incidentals incurred when taking on the responsibility of caring for a child unexpectedly (i.e. purchases for basic needs such as but not limited to cribs/beds etc.).
Caregiving Services: The benefits or services will be directly paid to an ACDJFS approved caregiving service. The care is designed to provide temporary relief of child caring functions. The minor child for who caregiving services are being provided shall be (a) Under age 13 at the time of application and may remain eligible until he/she turns 13; or (b) Be under age 18 at the time of application if the child meets the definition of special needs pursuant to rule 5101:2-16-01 of the Administrative Code, and may remain eligible until he/she turns 18. The kinship caregiver or other member of the AG shall be participating in one of the following approved activities:
- Paid employment on a full-time or part-time basis;
- A training or education activity that prepares the caretaker for paid employment; or
- Participating in one or more work activities as a condition of eligibility for either Ohio Works First (OWF) or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- The AG must inform ACDJFS within 10 days if no member of the assistance group is participating in an approved activity or if the child is no longer residing with the kinship caregiver.
Eligibility:
ACDJFS is working with Allen County Children Services with this program. ACDJFS will check eligibility once the application is submitted from Children Services.
- AG for Stabilization Services includes only a minor child residing with a kinship caregiver.
- AG for Caregiving Service includes a minor child residing with the kinship caregiver and one kinship caregiver.
- AG has or has applied for a social security number.
- AG must be a U.S. citizen or a “qualified alien.”
- AG must not owe any of the cost of fraudulent TANF assistance paid to the individual.
- AG must be afforded the opportunity to register to vote (when applicable).
- Even though eligibility requires AG to have Allen county residency, out-of-county temporary placements will be considered (applies to Stabilization Services only).
- The AG shall have gross income of less than 200% of the federal poverty level. Income received during the past 30 days shall be used as an indicator of the income that is and will be available to the AG. However, ACDJFS will not use past income as an indicator of income anticipated for the certification period if changes in income have occurred or can be anticipated. If income fluctuates to the extent that a 30-day period alone cannot provide an accurate indication of anticipated income, ACDJFS will take the last 90 days’ income if it will provide an accurate indication of anticipated fluctuations in future income.
- A redetermination of TANF eligibility for KCP is required every twelve months from determination of initial eligibility.
- The AG must apply for Publicly Funded Childcare first before requesting those services under the PRC Kinship Caregiver program.
ACDJFS will provide the AG written notice of a denial or its intent to withhold, reduce, suspend or terminate Kinship Caregiver Program Services (JFS 04065).
TANF Purpose |
Services |
#1 |
Stabilization Services |
· Childcare to be paid to a certified provider through ACDJFS if employed, attending training or looking for employment; not to exceed 4 months |
· Respite care for the kinship caregiver through an Allen County Children Services approved facility/program |
· Homemaker services |
· Parent/Education services |
· Supportive Services (including household items, clothing, etc.) |
Caregiving Services – one rolling calendar year of child care services while fulfilling requirements for this service (working, in training or participation in required work activity). If AG qualifies for Publicly Funded Childcare, PRC funds will pay AG’s co-payment. |
At any time, KCP families can apply for general Prevention, Retention & Contingency Services, including short-term, on-going and contingency (rent, utilities, mortgage, etc) directly through ACDJFS.
For more information about other Kinship Services offered through Job & Family Services, visit the Office for Children and Families website or the Foster, Adoption and Kinship Care website. If you have additional questions, please contact us at 419-999-0224.