Kinship Services
Children in Relative Care – Provided by Wayne County
Kinship Services
Children in Relative Care – Provided by Wayne County
KINSHIP ASSISTANCE
This is an assistance program designed for a child in the home of a relative/kinship caregiver. These funds can only be distributed as the child is moving into a relative/kinship home and can be used for beds, dressers, clothing, infant equipment, etc.
For any questions about qualifications or to apply contact April Dreher at (330) 345-5340 ext. 2206.
OWF CASH ASSISTANCE & DAY CARE ASSISTANCE
OWF Cash Assistance
Wayne County Job and Family Services cash assistance program may provide financial stipend for blood relatives that have kin placed in their home.
- Verification through a court or agency document is needed for these funds to be distributed.
- Birth certificates proving biological lineage are often requested.
- Eligibility for these funds is based on the income of the child. A child may receive income through child support or a Social Security disability check. Eligibility is NOT based on the relative’s household income.
- Funds may be available as long as the child remains in the relative’s home through age of emancipation.
Child Care Assistance
Wayne County Job and Family Services child care assistance program allows relatives to apply for child care assistance.
- If a relative works or attends secondary education, day care expenses may be placed on a sliding fee scale if the household income meets the eligibility requirements.
- No financial assistance with child care is given through the agency’s general fund. OWF funds attained through JFS may also be used to assist with day care expenses.
For more information or to apply for either of these assistance programs please contact:
Wayne County Job and Family Services│356 W. North St. Wooster, Ohio 44691│(330) 287-5800
(WCCS can assist a relative in applying for these funds or attend an appointment, if needed.)
ALTERNATIVE CAREGIVERS
We ask every relative caregiver who has physical placement of a child in the custody of Wayne County Children Services have at least two optional people to care for the children in case of a personal emergency. These “alternative caregivers” must also be approved by the agency. They can be neighbors, family members, and friends. There is an application process in which these alternatives are approved by agency staff and can be utilized by the relative caregiver for full time day care providers, as a weekend respite provider, or as needed in a crisis situation.
TRAINING & FOSTER LICENSURE OPPORTUNITIES
All relative and kinship providers are given the opportunity to attend ongoing trainings. These can be utilized for education to meet the special needs of children placed in the home or relatives can apply to be licensed foster parents.
Relatives are given the opportunity to become licensed for the purpose of:
A) receiving a daily financial stipend for the reimbursement of expenses of the children placed in their home and
B) to assist with adoption proceedings if permanent options are needed for the children after all efforts have been exhausted for reunification.
Pre-service foster parent training and ongoing training schedules are available on the agency calendar.
KINSHIP PERMANENCY INCENTIVE
This state-funded program is designed to promote a stable and permanent home for kin children by providing a financial support for caregivers over a three year period after receiving legal custody. These relatives must obtain a court order of legal custody. The relative applies for this support in the county in which the caregiver resides which may differ from the county in which the child had an open WCCS case. This program is also for families who have made legal custody arrangements outside the assistance of WCCS. The requirements for this program are: a court order giving the provider legal custody, a home study conducted by a caseworker including fingerprints, and proof of current wages. Eligibility for this program is based on household income of the relative provider and is currently 300% of poverty level. WCCSB Placement Department can assist with the application process for this financial support.
Contact
For questions, please contact April Dreher at 330-345-5340.
OHIOKAN
OhioKAN is a new statewide program designed to help kinship and adoptive families navigate and connect with all available resources, locally and statewide.
OHIO KINSHIP GRANDPARENT COALITION
This is a statewide group that meets bi-monthly in Columbus to discuss legislation and topics that pertain to grandparent and kinship caregivers. WCCS staff regularly attend this meeting to remain educated regarding opportunities available for caregivers. Please visit that Ohio Kinship Grandparent Coalition website via the link below for more information.
