Effective January 1, 2011,the Kin-Gap program is enhanced. New improvements include:
- Federal Financial Participation (FFP) for foster children placed with an approved relative guardian who are Title IV-E eligible, and providing for a parallel state funded Kin-GAP Program for foster children placed with an approved relative who are not Title IV-E eligible;
- Reducing the length of time that a court-dependent child must reside in the approved home of the prospective relative guardian while under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court or a voluntary placement agreement from 12 to 6 consecutive months;
- Continued eligibility for Kin-GAP regardless of the state of residence
of the relative guardian and child; - Requiring the county child welfare agency, probation department, or Title IV-E agreement tribe to enter into a binding written agreement with the relative guardian;
- Allowing the above entities and the relative guardian to renegotiate the payment amount based on the changing needs of the child and the circumstances of the relative;
- Allowing entry into the Kin-GAP Program under a voluntary placement agreement with an approved relative that resulted in a guardianship being established in juvenile court under W&IC section 360; and
- Extending Kin-GAP benefits to age 21 for a youth who has a physical or mental disability that warrants the continuation of assistance.
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