About Kinship Caregiving
For children who are placed in foster care the preferred placement is with kin. Kin are relatives, tribes, or people with a family like relationship with the child or their parents before coming into care. Kin may qualify for immediate or expedited placement of children if a safe and suitable caregiver is identified. Children are able to stay connected to their family connections, cultural traditions and community. Kinship caregiving is often challenging because it changes relationship dynamics between the child and caregiver as well as other family members.
Idaho Kinship Program
Idaho has tens of thousands of kinship caregivers who take on the role of parenting when the child’s parents are unable to. These living arrangements may be made formally through a social service agency but are most often arranged without formal intervention. Family members voluntarily take the children into their homes during times of family crisis.
This can be challenging from legal, financial, and emotional standpoints. If you are one of the kinship care providers in Idaho, you are not alone, and help is available.
2-1-1 Idaho CareLine
Idaho resources, services and supports
Resource and Navigation services
Provides emergency and short-term assistance to families so children may be cared for in their homes or in the homes of relatives. Contact the Idaho CareLine by dialing 211 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (MT) Monday – Friday) and ask for Navigation Services.
Community resources
Community resource information about financial assistance, health and dental insurance, early childhood education, intervention services for developmentally and physically disabled children, and food assistance programs.
Legal services
Legal information about custodial arrangements, legal actions, legal forms, and legal services.
Support groups
Support group information about finding a support group near you.
TAFI grant
Also known as the Relative Caretaker or Grandparent Grant, eligible households can receive up to $309 per month to help offset the cost of caring for a child. Caretakers must be related, and income criteria is based on the child’s income.
Children’s Medicaid
Children's Medicaid covers children under the age of 19 years who meet certain eligibility criteria. Income criteria is based on the child’s income.
You can receive TAFI cash assistance on a monthly basis to help make ends meet.