Kinship Foster Care

Kinship providers are designated as "kinship" if they are related to the child, either genetically or by previous association.

Many of the kinship providers who come forward to care for children are grandparents, aunts and uncles, and even teachers.

If the family providing care is a blood relative of the child, and if the Department has completed a home study and the family is approved to provide care, the provider may choose to either apply for TANF (Temporary Aid to Needy Families) dollars or to become a "certified kinship care" provider. Both options provide Medicaid coverage for the child.

If the kinship care provider decides to become "certified," all of the foster care requirements must be met. In addition, the Certification Review Team must determine that the family and home meet all of the standards of a certified foster home.

Once certified, providers receive the standard foster care reimbursement rate for each child.

Kinship Adoption

Adoption is an option for kinship providers only if the rights of the birth family have been terminated or relinquished, and if the kinship family has met all of the above requirements and been approved to adopt.

Special support services are available for kinship families.

Call Cathy Bolton at 303-441-1512 for more information.

Mail completed application to: Boulder County Dept. of Social Services Attn: Bonnie Lloyd 3400 Broadway Boulder, CO 80304