Kinship care is the full-time nurturing and protection of a child who is separated from his/her parents. Kinship care is given by a caretaker with whom the child or family has an existing relationship.
Formal kinship care exists when CCYA has custody of the child and places the child in the home of a kinship caregiver.
The caregiver must become an approved foster parent for the child and is eligible to receive foster care payment.
There is no CCYA custody involved with “informal” kinship care. The caregiver may apply for benefits. The CAO determines eligibility.
The child continues to be coded in the appropriate MA category.
42 Pa. C.S. §§ 6301-6365
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Reviewed July 30, 2013