Kinship care is placement of a child in the home of an adult with whom the child or the child's parent already has a close emotional attachment or ties.
A. Licensed Non-Related Kin Placement
1. Any person caring for a child under the age of 16 years who is in the custody of the Secretary and is not related to the child by blood, marriage or adoption shall be required to be licensed by DCF Foster Care Licensing in order to provide out of home placement services.
2. To expedite placement of children with non-related kin, the requirement for the completion of an approved pre-service training is waived prior to a child being placed in the home, but must be met within the first year of licensure. A pre-service training which is not pre-approved by DCF Foster Care Licensing, such as STARS, PRIDE or other equivalent training may be substituted if permission is granted by Foster Care Program Manager or Deputy Director of Permanency on a case-by-case basis.
3. Prior to the child's placement with non-related kin, the Child Welfare Case Management Providers (CWCMP) shall request from the local DCF Service Center a Child Abuse/Neglect Central Registry and history check on all members of the non-related kin home who are age 10 and older. Information on the relationship between the child and child’s family and the non-related kin shall be shared with DCF prior to placement.
4. Prior to the child's placement with non-related kin, the Child Welfare Case Management Providers (CWCMP) shall request a complete DCF History check, comprised of Web KDHE Request Processor (WKRP), Family and Children Tracking System (FACTS), Kansas Intake/Investigation Protections Systems (KIPS), and Kansas Initiative for Decision Support (KIDS), checks on all members of the non-related kin home who are age 10 and older.
5. Within 14 calendar days of placement with non-related kin, the CWCMP shall send fingerprints on all members of the household age 18 and older to DCF Foster Care Licensing for processing. Placement can be made prior to results being received.
6. The CWCMP shall also require the members of the family who are age 10 and over sign a statement, Declaration of No Criminal Offenses (PPS 5143). Signing this form acknowledges a check of the criminal history database required by DCF Foster Care Licensing will be completed and will not reveal conviction for any offenses which would prohibit DCF licensure.
7. DCF Foster Care Licensing shall complete a KBI criminal history background check, and Child Abuse/Neglect Central Registry checks for anyone age 10 and older in the home. Fingerprint checks shall be completed for anyone age 18 and older in the home. Results of all background checks must be received prior to full licensure. The Child Abuse/Neglect Central Registry checks will be completed annually.
8. Immediately following placement, the CWCMP shall complete the family assessment and licensing packet.
a. The packet shall be sent completed to DCF Foster Care Licensing no later than 14 calendar days after the child's placement.
b. CWCMP shall provide the same level of supports and services which are provided to other foster families to ensure the child's needs are met and the placement remains stable. Reimbursement for non-related kin providers will be reimbursed as indicated in the DCF Rate Structure.
B. Non-Licensed Non-Related Kin Placement
1. Youth in the custody of the Secretary age 16 or older may reside in a non-licensed non-related kin placement which is determined to be environmentally and psychologically safe by the CWCMP.
a. The CWCMP shall do a KBI criminal history background check, Child Abuse/Neglect Central Registry and DCF/PPS history checks for anyone age 10 and older in the home. Fingerprint checks shall be completed for anyone age 18 and older in the home who is not in the custody of the Secretary.
2.The CWCMP will discuss maintenance payment options with the caregivers.
3.The CWCMP shall complete the Appendix 5B Non-Licensed Placement Crisis Support Acknowledgement annually with every non-licensed non-related kin home. CWCMP’s shall retain a copy of the executed Appendix 5B to provide upon request from the DCF Foster Care Program Manager.