Kinship care refers to the care and protection of a child by relatives, members of their tribe, step-parents, or close family friends (also referred to as fictive kin). Relatives or fictive kin are the preferred placement for children who must be removed from their birth parents, as they have inherent capabilities for supporting and maintaining the child's family connections and cultural traditions.
Idaho has tens of thousands of kinship caregivers who take on the role of parenting when the child’s parents are unable to fulfill that role. These living arrangements may be made formally through the Department of Health and Welfare's Child Protection Program or the court system, but are often arranged without formal intervention.
Often, family members voluntarily take relative children into their homes during times of family crisis. This can be challenging legally, financially, and emotionally. If you are one of the kinship care providers in Idaho, you are not alone, and help is available.
| PROGRAM NAME | Kinship eligibility based on child's income | eligibility based on household income and number of people in the houshold | Ages | Must be a biological relative | Kinship non-related eligible | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAFI (caretaker grant) | Yes | No | 0-18 | Yes | No | Apply for TAFI |
| Medicaid | Yes | No | 0-18* | No | Yes | Apply for Medicaid |
| dental | Yes | No | 0-18 | No | Yes | About Dental |
| Snap/food stamps | Yes | Yes | 0-18 | No | Yes | Apply for SNAP |
| Infant Toddler Program | evaluation of the child | evaluation of the child | birth-3 | No | Yes | Infant Toddler Program |
| Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP) | No | Yes |
under 13* |
No | Yes | Apply for Child Care Assistance |
| wic | No | Yes | child under 1 or parent of a child under 5 | No | Yes | Apply for WIC |
|
Head start |
Check with your local Head Start | Check with your local Head Start | school aged | No | No | Find your Local Head Start Program |
|
School meals |
kinship foster placements, if any member of the household receives TAFI "caretaker grant," SNAP, TANF or FDRIP. | Depends | school aged | No | No | Apply at your local school |
| Tax credit information | Dependent Status for tax filing purposes | See IRS | See IRS | |||
| *over 13 with a disability |
Resource and Service Navigation identifies and develops resources, utilizing them to support struggling families so they may achieve stability.
What we do
- Identify and develop resources and services that help individuals and families meet their basic needs through developing viable customized service plans focused on family strengths and community supports
- Develop goals and action steps which are likely to achieve the intended result of the plan
- Organize and actively case manage service plans
- Work with communities, agencies and other department programs to develop or assist in the stabilization of assets and resources
- Provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives
who do we serve
Individuals, children, and families who may benefit from one-on-one assistance in developing a service plan to meet their goals for stability, self-sufficiency, and health and safety.
How to request a navigation referral for services
For a referral to Navigation contact the 2-1-1 CareLine by dialing 211 (Monday – Friday between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm MT) and ask for a Navigation referral. A Navigator will make contact within two business days of the day the referral is made.
Regional Support Groups
Region 1
Relatives as Parents:
- Jessica Gross or Glenda Weaver: 208-660-4905 or visit us at https://www.facebook.com/RelativesAsParentINC/
Region 2
- Currently, no support groups listed for Region 2
Region 3 & 4
Idaho Relatives as Parents (IRAP):
- Contact email: IRAPTRVY@gmail.com
- Meetings: 1st and 3rd Thursday of month from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. and 1st Monday from 1 - 2 p.m.
- Region 3 - download brochure
- Spanish speaking Kinship group contact Elva Villareal: 208-888-3331 or email: Elva.Villarreal@a3ssa.com
Region 5
Kinship/GAP support group:
- Shawna Wasko - 208-736-2126
- Grandparents United for Change: Myril Houk - 208-430-4292
Region 6
Kinship Care Support:
- Contact this local Area Agency on Aging for current support group information: 208-233-4032 or email: Mike@sicog.org
Region 7
- email Mike@sicog.org
Find lifespan respite information through your local Area Agency on Aging at: https://aging.idaho.gov/area-4/
Find respite programs in Idaho - Idaho Caregiver Alliance resource library.
Find respite FAQs here.
Kinship in Idaho |
Grandfacts |
My Family. My Story. |
MFMS Archives |
Kinship national resources |
|
Kinship and Children's Bureau |
Our free online Family and Community Services (FACS) library consists of a collection of kinship-related books, games, DVDs, videos, and audio media. Our library materials have resources and information that include trauma, adult and children's mental wellness, education, adoption, foster care, and clinical resources for professionals. Materials are available in English and include a selection of Spanish. We encourage you to browse through our collection to find the resources most helpful to you.
All library books, games, DVDs, videos, and audio media are free and will be delivered directly to your door. A pre-paid postage envelope will be included for free returns.
CHECK oUT our current FEATURES!
Log-in name: FACS Library -no password required-
Kinship caregiver selection
Grandparents as Parents: A Survival Guide for Raising a Second Family by Sylvie De Toledo
Children's & youth selections
Robert Lives with his Grandparents by Martha Whitmore Hickman
Spanish selection
1,2,3, Respira: Para Ninos de 3 a 10 anos by Carla Naumburg
Foster selection
Parenting in the Eye of the Storm: The Adoptive Parent’s Guide to Navigating the Teen Years by Katie Jae Naftzger
Clinical/Provider selection
Anger Management Workbook for Kids: 50 Fun Activities to Help Children Stay Calm and Make Better Choices When they Feel Mad by Samantha Snowden
Lifespan Caregiving
One in every four Idahoans is a family caregiver. Every day, moms, dads, wives, husbands, daughters, sons, friends, and neighbors are performing complex medical tasks and managing the daily needs of those dearest to them.
Caregiving across a lifespan is caregiving that occurs throughout one's life between birth and death and includes developmental needs, health and physical needs, and other issues in adulthood, midlife and at the end-of-life.
Resources and support are available for caregivers and those they are caring for each day.
Caregiving resources
Caregiver self-assessment questionnaire
This questionnaire can help caregivers look at their own behavior and health risks. With their healthcare provider's help, this questionnaire can also help caregivers make decisions that may benefit both the caregiver and the person they are caring for.
The Idaho Caregiver Alliance is a coalition of individuals and organizations focused on expanding opportunities for respite across the lifespan.
Find information and resources available for caregivers.
Idaho Commission on Aging - Ombudsman Services
Advocating for the rights of long-term care residents. Idaho's long-term care ombudsmen are available to protect the health, safety, and welfare of individuals residing in a facility.
Connects individuals to services for older adults and their families.
Includes a caregiver help desk, resources and information on caregiving by topic: general help, Alzheimer's disease and dementia, cancer caregiving, and caregiving for persons with disabilities and rare diseases.
Respite is a break from caregiving. Respite is time away, if only for a few hours, to recharge your own batteries. Respite can be a walk in the park, lunch with a friend, or simply reading a book in another room without fear that you’ll be interrupted. Respite can be planned (like a vacation) or can come up suddenly with an offer from a friend. Respite can be paid for or provided by family members, friends, or volunteers at no charge. Respite can take place in your home or in a facility such as a day center. For more information on the types of respite, visit the Arch National Respite page and the ABCs of Respite.
