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.
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