Kinship care and the child welfare system.
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The state’s child welfare system provides services and support to children and families in Michigan and makes foster care placements when children cannot safely stay with their parents. The child welfare system may also be involved in certain kinship care arrangements. When a child is removed by child welfare, the first priority is to place the child with a relative or someone with whom there is a family-like bond.
Children receiving relative foster care have access to financial and other support that any other foster child does.
- Children receive monthly payments based on the age and needs of the child
- Semi-annual clothing allowance
- Medicaid, which pays for medical, dental, and mental health care
- Child care reimbursement
Child protective services
Child protective services programs are responsible for investigating allegations of abuse and neglect of children in their area (state of jurisdiction). If you suspect a child is experiencing abuse or neglect in Michigan, you can call 855-444-3911 or visit the MDHHS website to learn more.
Sometimes, a state’s child welfare agency may work with a parent to develop a safety plan, which may involve a relative or other kinship caregiver providing temporary care of a child or children while services and supports are put in place for the child’s parent(s). This is sometimes referred to as a safety plan or prevention plan. This is voluntary and is not the same as relative foster care.
What legal options do kinship caregivers have?
Kinship care legal options are complex and situation dependent. The MSU KCRC has developed a guide to help define terms and explain different types of legal circumstances kinship caregivers may encounter.