Grandparent/Relative Caregiver

Louisiana Kinship Navigator

Legal and Custodial Information Guide

The Louisiana Kinship Navigator contains all the information provided on our Kinship Care webpages. Download the navigator for offline use.

Louisiana Kinship Navigator Website

Download the Louisiana Kinship Navigator

DCFS Assistance

211- As a relative or kinship caregiver, by simply dialing 211 toll-free, 24 hours a day/7 days a week, you can request information about resources in your community to assist you and your family.
https://www.louisiana211.org/
LA Kinship Care Support Program (KCSP) – financial assistance to income eligible families providing care to relative children (apply for KCSP thru OFS) 1-888-LAHELP-U (1-888-524 3578)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)– financial assistance for income eligible families SNAP 1-888-LAHELP-U (1-888-524-3578) http://www.dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/get-snap
Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program – financial assistance for income eligible families (apply for FITAP) 1-888-LAHELP-U (1-888-524-3578)
Child Support Program – obtaining financial assistance from child’s parent(s) 1-888-LAHELP-U (1-888-524-3578) http://www.dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/137

External Resources

www.LAgrg.org – Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Information Center of Louisiana serves as a resource and support organization for children cared for by grandparents and other relatives. 225 810-3555
Generations United – www.GU.org - The mission of Generations United is to improve the lives of children, youth, and older people through intergenerational collaboration, public policies, and programs for the enduring benefit of all.
Grandfamilies.org - serves as a national legal resource in support of grandfamilies within and outside the child welfare system. Its’ goals are to educate individuals about state laws, legislation and policy in support of grandfamilies; assist interested policymakers, advocates, caregivers, and attorneys in exploring policy options to support relatives and the children in their care; provide technical assistance and training.

Recent Laws of Interest to Kinship or Relative Foster Caregivers

Include LA RS Act 33 of 2019 allows consideration of some prior criminal convictions for relatives who were previously disqualified from receiving kinship care assistance payments or becoming a foster or adoptive parent or relative guardian of a child. This law now allows more persons, including relative and fictive kin, to be assessed as placement resources who would have otherwise been ineligible under the former law. Individuals with convictions for felony offenses of child abuse/neglect, spousal abuse, crimes against children (including child pornography), or for certain crimes of violence including sexual assault, rape, or homicide remain ineligible for those programs.
LA Act 240, effective Dec. 1, 2019, requires all school districts to develop policies to identify all fees and supplies required of students and to establish a waiver of payment of fees due to economic hardship. The policy would allow students, parents or legal guardians to apply for waiver of all school fees based on economic hardship. Contact your local school board or school governing authority or child’s school for information on procedures to apply for waiver.
LA Act 400 of 2019 provides extended voluntary foster care benefits and services to youth in foster care on their 18^th Young adults age 18 – 21 are eligible with enrolment in educational or job training programs, or are employed at least 80 hrs /month. Guardians who entered into a guardianship subsidy may also be eligible for continued services after the youth reaches age 18. Young adults formerly in foster care meeting eligibility requirements may reenter program any time prior to age 21.
US - The Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act – signed into law July 9, 2019 establishes Federal Advisory Council to support grandparents and other relatives raising children. Led by US DHHS, its’ charge is to identify, promote, coordinate and disseminate information about resources and best practices to help relative caregivers meet the health, educational, nutritional and other needs of children in their care as well as maintain their own physical and mental health and well-being.
US - Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018 (Family Foster Home Licensing Standards, and Kinship Navigator Programs),
US - Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act of 2014, and
US - Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008