LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) – It's a win for caregivers who are direct of kin raising foster children - a move that could help their family's bottom line.
"This money would be a game-changer for families who are willing to step up or who are already providing services for those kids," Boys & Girls Haven CEO Jeff Hadley said.
It's a payout, on average, of about $750 a month per child could be coming to those who are caring for their younger relatives under a court order known as kinship caregivers. Hadley says it's long overdue.
"The child welfare system is under-resourced and it's been under-resourced for a long time," he said.
The payments are essentially a reimbursement to the caregivers, similar to what licensed foster parents currently receive. The assistance also applies for close family friends who take in a child who may have been removed from a home because of abuse or neglect.
"What this money will help provide is relief for those family members who are willing to step up and care for a family member. It will also enable more family members to go ahead and step up and provide those services," Hadley told WHAS11.
The director of Kentucky Youth Advocates tells us, "This announcement is profoundly good news for Kentucky kids and families."
The president and CEO of Uspiritus says the financial support, "...will undoubtedly improve the long-term outcomes for many broken families. Children want to be cared for by family members not strangers."
It's a thought shared by Hadley. "Usually it's better for a child to be cared for with family members. As long as those family members have been vetted and they are able to care for the family members safely," he said.
Families and caregivers who think they may be eligible for the relative or fictive kin payment can contact the CHFS Kinship Support Hotline at 877-565-5608 or email DCBSChildProtection@ky.gov.