 |
 |
 |
Vol.
27, No. 1
January 2024
NC Approves Payments to Unlicensed Kin Providing Foster Care
Many relatives struggle with the cost of raising family members and the NC Division of Social Services (NC DSS) is consistently striving to improve supportive services and resources for them. One exciting step in a positive direction for children, youth, and kinship caregivers across our state is the passage of Session Law 2023-14 (Senate Bill 20) in May 2023. One component of the legislation, effective November 16, 2023, authorizes financial reimbursement to unlicensed kin providing foster care. Kin must be related by blood, marriage, or adoption. The family does not have to meet the licensure requirements to receive reimbursement. The reimbursement is half the standard board rate, which varies by age range. The cost of the monthly reimbursement is shared equally by the county and the state (50/50).
The reimbursement rates are as follows:
1. $351.00 per child per month for children from birth through age 5.
2. $371.00 per child per month for children aged 6 through 12.
3. $405.00 per child per month for children at least 13 but less than 18 years of age
NC DSS is hopeful that the unlicensed kinship care provider payments will assist in offsetting expenses families incur while caring for their loved ones. Payments can assist kinship caregiver's costs for food, school supplies, clothing, normalcy activities, etc. County child welfare agencies must provide the necessary documentation for kinship care providers to receive payment and kinship care providers must confirm they are the payee for the child(ren).
On September 28, 2023, the U.S. Administration for Children and Families (ACF) published a final rule which became effective November 27, 2023, regarding licensing and approval standards for kinship placements. The rule allows for Title IV-E agencies to utilize separate licensing requirements for kinship homes and distribute payments to kinship providers. NC will exercise the option to develop a two-track licensing system and will submit this intent to ACF by February 8, 2024. This is a tremendous win for potential kinship providers. With the new rule, we can create separate standards for kinship providers to reduce barriers to placement and increase the pool of relatives or fictive kin that can care for children. This could increase the number of kinship placements available to children in the system. When developing kinship licensing requirements, we will still include the appropriate safety considerations and collect psychosocial information to assess placement suitability. Separate kinship requirements must also follow federal licensing regulations.
NC DSS will continue to build upon legislation to improve support and services.
For more information, click the "Dear County Director" letter and attachment or contact Mary Mackins, Adoption Manager, at mary.mackins@dhhs.nc.gov.