Financial Assistance   The Foster Care payment rate is established by the State of California and County Board of Supervisors and vary with the type and location of the child’s placement, the age of the child and any special needs the child may have. Foster children can receive foster care cash assistance through the Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Foster Care (AFDC-FC) program.  The AFDC-FC program is administered under two sub-programs: ·             State AFDC-FC, which uses a blend of  State and County funds, and ·             Federal AFDC-FC, which uses a blend of Federal, State and County funds. Foster care payments are not income to the foster parent.  Payments are intended to help cover the costs of the child’s food, on-going clothing and personal needs, transportation, entertainment, shelter needs and supervision/parenting needs.  Foster Care payments are received on the 12th of the month, following the month of care.  For example: payment for the month of September will be received on October 12th. Medical Assistance Foster Care payments include Medi-Cal .  Riverside County dependents who reside in Riverside or San Bernardino counties and receive Foster Care benefits get their Medi-Cal benefits through Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) as part of IEHPs “Open Access Network”. This is an enhanced program through IEHP in which foster children have immediate access to IEHP doctors, direct referral to a specialist, After-Hours Nurse Advice Line and much more.   If a child has access to private medical insurance through a parent, that insurance is used for medical needs.  Medi-Cal would be a secondary insurance for the child. Property and Income Limits To be eligible for foster care payments a child must meet the following property and income limits: Property:  A child may not have more than $10,000 in combined value of cash and property (both real and personal).  This includes real estate, cars, bank accounts, savings accounts, savings bonds, etc. Income:  A child may not have income, from any source, which exceeds the foster care rate.  This includes child support, Social Security Retirement, Survivor’s and Disability Insurance (RSDI) income from a deceased or disabled parent, Social Security Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits based on the child's disability, income from a trust account, etc. EXCEPTION:  When a child in placement age 16 or older is enrolled by their social worker  in the Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP), any income or incentive payments earned as a direct result of the child's participation in ILSP are exempt for the purposes of determining Foster Care property and income.  Placement Eligibility To be eligible for foster care payments a child must be placed with one of the following eligible facilities: a licensed (link to Licensed Homes) non-related foster home—this can be a foster family home, a Group Home or a Foster Family Agency. Foster homes are licensed through the Community Care Licensing (CCL) division of the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) or by an individual county or state.  a relative: payable only if the child is eligible to Federal Foster Care funding a former relative a Non-relative Extended Family Member (NREFM) a non-related legal guardian   Foster Family Homes Foster Family Homes include: individual licensed homes state licensed small family homes, and relative, Non-Related Extended Family Member (NREFM), and non-related legal guardianship (NRLG) placements. Most licensed homes are licensed for six children or less.   Foster Family Agencies (FFA)   A Foster Family Agency is a private agency licensed by the State of California to certify individual homes for the placement of foster children.    The FFA rate is established by the State and includes: ·          a basic foster care rate for the child’s age ·          a monthly child increment ·          additional monies to cover the FFA’s administrative and social work costs   When a child is placed in an FFA certified home, the County pays the FFA their total rate.  Then the FFA pays the certified home a rate that is agreed upon between the home and the FFA.  Per All County Letter 08-01, effective 1/1/2008 the basic rates to certified homes are: $414 for a child age 0-4 years $450 for a child age 5-8 years $479 for a child age 9-11 years $533 for a child age 12-14 years, and $580 for a child age 15-19 years.     Group Homes   Group Homes are facilities licensed by Community Care Licensing for 6 or more children.  Group Homes are institutional in nature and provide care for children with specific behavior problems.  Their rates are established by the State of California based on the level and type of service provided to the child.     Relatives & Former Relatives A foster caregiver is considered to be a relative if they are related by birth or adoption to the child by virtue of being one of the following: (DPSS 750A) The brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, or any such person of a preceding generation denoted by the prefixed grand-, great-, or great-great. The stepfather, stepmother, stepbrother or stepsister. The spouse of any person named above even after the marriage has been terminated by death or dissolution. A related caregiver: ·       should be able to prove their relationship to the child with documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc. ·       must complete the home approval process.  The home approval process is similar to the foster care licensure process, and an approved home must meet the same standards as a licensed foster home.  A foster child who is a dependent of the Juvenile Court and placed in the approved home of a relative may receive: §          Foster Care if they are eligible to receive federal AFDC-FC or §         CalWORKs if they are not eligible to receive federal AFDC-FC. If the child is not eligible to federal AFDC-FC, the Foster Care Eligibility Technician will §         send a notice to the relative stating that the child is not eligible to Foster Care, but may be eligible to CalWORKs, and §         forward the Foster Care application paperwork to the local CalWORKs office.  The relative will need to make arrangements with the CalWORKs office to complete the CalWORKs application paperwork.   Non-relative Extended Family Member (NREFM) Effective 10-10-2001, a new category of foster caregiver was created: Non-relative Extended Family Member (NREFM). A NREFM is a person with an "established familial or mentoring relationship to the child" or the child's family, and who does not meet the AFDC-FC definition of a relative. This category may include godparents, family friends, teachers, etc.  A potential caregiver's eligibility to NREFM status shall be determined and documented by the child's social worker.  A NREFM caregiver must complete the home approval process.  The home approval process is similar to the foster care licensure process, and an approved home must meet the same standards as a licensed foster home.

Non-related Legal Guardian (NRLG) A non-related legal guardian is non-related caregiver appointed by the Juvenile Court or by Probate Court to serve as legal guardian for a child until he or she is 18.  ·         The court can make a decision about guardianship whether or not the parent agrees.  ·         The court grants a legal guardian the right to make most decisions regarding the child, but does not grant all the legal rights and responsibilities of a parent to the guardian in the way that adoption grants these rights and responsibilities to an adoptive parent. A legal guardian is considered to be a non-related legal Guardian (NRLG) if they are not related by birth or adoption to the child by virtue of being one of the following: ·         The child’s brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, or any such person of a preceding generation denoted by the prefixed grand-, great-, or great-great. ·         The child’s stepfather, stepmother, stepbrother or stepsister. ·         The spouse of any person named above even after the marriage has been terminated by death or dissolution. A child residing with a NRLG may be eligible for Foster Care cash and Medi-Cal benefits.  A NRLG may apply for Foster Care benefits for the child by calling (951) 358-3894.  The County will send an application packet with a letter that tells the NRLG who to contact to schedule an appointment at the office nearest to the NRLG.  At the interview, the NRLG needs to provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate, Social Security card and the court papers appointing guardianship of the child to the NRLG (letters of guardianship). The County will assign a Social Worker to provide services which the State requires as part of Foster Care eligibility.   Specialized Care Homes   Specialized Care Homes are foster family homes licensed by Community Care Licensing (CCL)  and contracted by Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) to provide specific services.  Specialized Care Homes receive the basic foster care grant plus an additional Specialized Care Home increment. Riverside County DPSS currently has three types of Specialized Care Homes: Contract Shelter Homes, Enriched Homes, and Medically Fragile Homes.   Contract Shelter Homes: These licensed foster family homes receive special training from Riverside County DPSS, and are available to receive emergency placements on a 24-hour basis.   Enriched Homes:  These licensed foster family homes are specially trained and certified to care for children with emotional disturbances.  This program exists as a joint project between DPSS and the Department of Mental Health.  (Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care - MTFC)  Placements into these homes are done by referral from an Interagency Screening Committee.   Medically Fragile Homes:  These licensed foster family homes are certified to care for children with certain medical conditions, and receive extensive training in medical procedures, administering medication, and/or the use of medical equipment. State Licensed Small Family Homes  A State Licensed Small Family Home is a foster family home licensed by Community Care Licensing  which serves children who: ·          are developmentally delayed, or ·          have permanent special needs requiring a higher level of care   A State Licensed Small Family Home receives the foster care basic rate plus a specialized care increment to compensate for the additional care the child needs.   Regional Center Dual Agency Clients   A dual agency child is a child receiving AFDC-FC or AAP benefits who is served by a Department of Developmental Services (DDS) California Regional Center under either: • the Lanterman Act or • the California Early Start Intervention Services Act.   Regional Centers provide services under the Lanterman Act to children who: ·            have a significant developmental disability as defined under the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (Lanterman Act), ·            became disabled prior to age eighteen (18), and are expected to be disabled indefinitely.   Regional Centers also provide services under the California Early Start Intervention Services Act to children under the age of three who have not yet been determined to be developmentally disabled, but who meet other criteria.   A child receiving Foster Care payments may receive a regional center rate if the child is served by the Regional Center. The rate the child qualifies for depends upon whether • the Regional Center is serving the child under the Lanterman Act • the Regional Center is serving the child under the California Early Start Intervention Services Act • the child is in a placement vendored by the Regional Center • the child is in a licensed non-vendored placement.   Dual agency children placed in licensed community care facilities that are vendored by a Regional Center are entitled to a Alternative Residential Model (ARM) rate, at a level determined by the Regional Center.   Dual agency children placed in licensed non-vendored facilities who have been determined disabled under the Lanterman Act receive $2006 per month. ·            In addition, a child age three or older only, who is determined by the social worker to have extraordinary care and supervision needs may receive a supplement of $250, $500, $750 or $1000 per month.   A supplement to the rate may be requested directly by a dual agency child’s foster caregiver or adoptive parent, through a referral from a regional center, or by the assigned social worker, adoption worker, or probation officer.   The rate for a child under age three who is served under the California Early Start Intervention Services Act and placed in non-vendored facility is $898 per month. A child under age three is not eligible to receive a supplement.     Infant Supplement Payment   A foster caregiver may receive an Infant Supplement Payment for a foster child if the child: ·         is receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Foster Care (AFDC-FC) ·         has a child of his or her own ·         resides in the same foster home with his or her child, and ·         is otherwise eligible. Infant supplement payment rates vary depending on the placement type and/or whether the “infant” is also a dependent of the court. The foster child’s Foster Care Eligibility Technician can provide specific information regarding the foster child’s eligibility to an infant supplement.   Clothing Allowances A foster child placed in an eligible facility within Riverside County is eligible to receive a quarterly clothing allowance. Quarterly clothing allowances are issued in the months of February, May, August and November. Exception: Riverside County does not issue clothing allowances to a child placed in a group home.   Specialized Care Increments Specialized Care Increments (SCIs) are paid in addition to the Basic rate in accordance with the physical and/or behavioral needs of the child.. The child’s assigned social worker determines whether the child is eligible to receive a specialized care increment, and at what level. The following table provides the Riverside County SCI levels along with a brief description of the criteria for each.

TYPE CRITERIA RATE Enuresis For children with enuresis only. $28 Moderate Partially debilitating physical, emotional, or mental conditions which require extra care/supervision, participation in an IEP, or tutoring. Can also be used for unusual, pregnancy-related physical difficulties (verification of pregnancy by a medical practitioner must accompany request). $71 Severe Requires more involved supervision or specific handling, discipline or intervention techniques due to aggressive/destructive behavior, daytime enuresis/encorpresis, hyperactivity, attachment disorder behaviors, etc. $149 Extreme For non-ambulatory children and/or those who require continuous supervision in accordance with professional parenting, handling or intervention techniques; or the child requires ongoing treatment due to two or more conditions described above. $222

A non-related legal guardian is non-related caregiver appointed by the Juvenile Court or by Probate Court to serve as legal guardian for a child until he or she is 18. 

·         The court can make a decision about guardianship whether or not the parent agrees. 

·         The court grants a legal guardian the right to make most decisions regarding the child, but does not grant all the legal rights and responsibilities of a parent to the guardian in the way that adoption grants these rights and responsibilities to an adoptive parent.

A legal guardian is considered to be a non-related legal Guardian (NRLG) if they are not related by birth or adoption to the child by virtue of being one of the following:

·         The child’s brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, or any such person of a preceding generation denoted by the prefixed grand-, great-, or great-great.

·         The child’s stepfather, stepmother, stepbrother or stepsister.

·         The spouse of any person named above even after the marriage has been terminated by death or dissolution.

A child residing with a NRLG may be eligible for Foster Care cash and Medi-Cal benefits.  A NRLG may apply for Foster Care benefits for the child by calling (951) 358-3894.  The County will send an application packet with a letter that tells the NRLG who to contact to schedule an appointment at the office nearest to the NRLG.  At the interview, the NRLG needs to provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate, Social Security card and the court papers appointing guardianship of the child to the NRLG (letters of guardianship).

The County will assign a Social Worker to provide services which the State requires as part of Foster Care eligibility.

Overview: The Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payment (Kin-GAP) program was established effective January 1, 2000 for children whose Juvenile Court dependency is terminated in favor of guardianship.  Effective October 1, 2006, the Kin-GAP program was made available to children whose Juvenile Court warship under Probation is terminated in favor of guardianship.  Kin-GAP provides both cash and Medi-Cal benefits to eligible children. Kin-GAP payments are income to the child, not to the caregiver.  In addition, Kin-GAP payments are excluded by the Housing Authority in determining a household’s qualification for housing assistance.

Children’s Services and Probation/Court Oversight: Kin-GAP does not provide Children’s Services or Probation oversight.  The social worker or probation officer closes the case when the dependency or wardship is dismissed and there are no further court hearings.

Basic Requirements: To be potentially eligible to receive Kin-GAP, all of the following conditions must be met:
• the child must live in the approved home of a relative for at least twelve months following placement in the home by Riverside County Children’s Services Division (CSD) or Riverside County Probation Department.
• an approved home is a licensed foster home or a home that is approved as documented by form SOC 815 “Approval of Family Caregivers Home.”
• the relative must be appointed legal guardian of the child by the Juvenile Court.
• the juvenile court dependency must be dismissed on or after 01/01/2000, or the juvenile court wardship must be dismissed on or after 10/01/2006.

Other Eligibility Requirements: When the child meets these basic requirements, Kin-GAP eligibility is determined based upon the child’s:
• age--must be under age 18
• countable property--must be under $10,000.00
• countable income--must be less than the Kin-GAP grant
• school attendance--Kin-GAP children aged 16-19 must attend school full-time
• residency--must reside in the state of California.

SSI: Children receiving SSI benefits are not eligible to receive Kin-GAP, according to State Eligibility and Assistance Standards (EAS) 82-832(d).

Eligibility after age 18: A Kin-GAP youth may be eligible to continue receiving Kin-GAP after age 18, if he or she meets the following requirements:
• will complete high school by age 19, or
• is expected to receive a GED certificate prior to age 19, or
• has not graduated from high school and has enrolled in an eligible vocational-technical training program which
o will not result in a college degree, and
o the child is expected to complete prior to age 19, and
• signs form SOC 155B Mutual Agreement for 18-year Olds—this form establishes the youth’s agreement to remain in the Kin-GAP Program after his or her 18th birthday.

Contact the Placement and Youth Services/Kin-GAP unit at (951) 358-7778 for additional information regarding school requirements.

Kin-GAP payments:
• are delivered on the first day of the benefit month
• are the responsibility of the county that dismissed the dependency or wardship
• are the same rate as the Foster Care basic rate of the county in which the child resides (Host County)
• may include a specialized care increment (SCI) if the child received a SCI in Foster Care prior to the approval of Kin-GAP
• includes clothing allowance(s) at the Host County rate
• may include an infant supplement, and
• may be paid using Direct Deposit, at the Kin-GAP guardians request.

Moving to another state: Kin-GAP guardians planning to move to another state may contact that state’s Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) to ask whether that state has a program for relative legal guardians that is similar to Kin-GAP. 
Not all states have a program similar to Kin-GAP. 
Payments from California will stop if the Kin-GAP guardian/child moves to another State.

Independent Living Services Program (ILSP): The Independent Living Services Program (ILP) provides services and activities to assist foster and Kin-GAP youth in making the transition to independent living.  Kin-GAP youth ages 16-19 may participate in ILSP.  Kin-GAP youth who participate in ILSP are assigned an ILSP social worker.  ILSP staff can be contacted at (951) 358-6748 or riversideilp@CWS.state.ca/us.

Q: What happens if I am no longer able to care for the child?
A: If there is another person who wishes to be the child’s guardian, you may ask the
     Juvenile Court to appoint that person as an alternate or successor guardian.  This is
     a person to whom the juvenile court grants guardianship in the event that the initial
     guardian is unable to continue to be guardian. If the guardianship is established in
     accordance with Welfare and Institutions Code 361.3 and 366.3, then a new 12
     month placement period is not required before Kin-GAP payment can be made for
     the child to the alternate or successor guardian.

Q: Is there a social worker or someone who could help with counseling for the child?

A: Once the child’s Juvenile Court dependency or wardship is dismissed, there is no
    social worker
    assigned to provide services for the family.  However, Kin-GAP guardians residing in
    Riverside County may call 211or 1 (800) 464-1123 by cell phone, to connect with the
    Volunteer Center of Riverside County.  The Volunteer Center is open 24 hrs a day to
    help caregivers find resources for a variety of issues, including:
• health care
• substance abuse
• employment
• housing, and
• youth crisis and intervention.

Guardians residing in other California counties may call the Grandparent Warmline at 1-800-303-0001.  The Grandparent Warmline is also available for guardians who reside in Riverside County.

Q: How long can we be out of state on vacation, etc?
A: The State Eligibility and Assistance Standards (EAS) 82-812.5 defines temporary
     absence as absence “from the home for one full calendar month or less.”  Kin-GAP
     would be discontinued if you will be out of state for more than one calendar month,
     you will need to reapply for Kin-GAP when you return.

For the purpose of this section, one full calendar month means from the first day of the month through the last day of the month.

Example: On February 2nd, the Kin-GAP guardian and child go to visit an uncle in Nevada and return on March 16th. They were not gone for the full calendar month of February or March and would be considered temporarily absent.

Q: What happens if I no longer want to be the child’s legal guardian?

A:  Call 1-800-442-4918 to report that you are no longer willing to be the child’s guardian
     or to request the child to be placed elsewhere.  This will open a Child Welfare
     referral.  If the guardianship is rescinded or the child is made a dependent, the
     Kin-GAP case will be discontinued.

Q: What happens if the child goes to Juvenile Hall temporarily?

A: Kin-GAP benefits are discontinued if the child is made a ward of the Juvenile Court.  Kin-GAP benefits may be reinstated:
• after the Juvenile Court dismisses the child’s wardship
• if the child is residing in the guardians home
• if the guardianship is still intact, and
• provided all other eligibility requirements are met.

Juvenile Probation may apply for and receive AFDC-FC for the child’s out of home placement.

Other Assistance for Relatives

CalWORKs Benefits

A relative caregiver, including a related legal guardian, may receive CalWORKs benefits for a related, otherwise eligible child in their care.

§         If the relative is applying for aid only for the child, the relative is considered to be “non-needy”, and the only the child’s income and property are considered in the CalWORKs eligibility determination—the relative’s income and property are not considered. 

§         If the relative is also applying for aid for his/herself, the relative’s income and property will be considered in the CalWORKs eligibility determination.

CalWORKs benefits are paid on the 1st of the month for the current month (e.g., June benefits are received June 1st).  Children receiving CalWORKs benefits also receive Medi-Cal benefits.