State notifications to kinship caregivers of child TANF recipients and applicants

(a)

In general

Section 408(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 608(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(13)

State requirements regarding notice and guidance to kinship caregivers

(A)

In general

A State to which a grant is made under section 403 shall ensure that the State agency provides to any kinship caregiver of a minor child, including grandparents and other relative caregivers, who contacts the State agency seeking assistance under the State program funded under this part (or under a State program funded with qualified State expenditures (as defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i))), or if the child is a recipient of such assistance, written notice that—(i)explains the options of the kinship caregiver under Federal, State, and local law to participate in the care and placement of the child, including the financial ramifications of the options and any options that may be lost by choosing certain benefits, including how the receipt of benefits under the State program funded under this part (or under a State program funded with qualified State expenditures (as defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i))) could impact eligibility for other programs;(ii)describes the additional services and supports that are available for a child placed in a licensed foster family home;(iii)notifies the kinship caregiver of the availability of guardianship assistance payments if the State has elected the option to make guardianship assistance payments under section 471(a)(28);(iv)describes policies under the State program funded under this part that may help kinship caregivers and the children they care for; and(v)provides direct contact information for kinship navigator programs described in section 427(a)(1) or other agencies, including the State child welfare agency, and community-based organizations that provide resources and assistance, such as legal services, housing, supplemental nutrition assistance, health care, and child care.(B)

Timing of notice

The notice required under subparagraph (A)— (i)shall be provided to a kinship caregiver of a minor child at the time that the kinship caregiver comes into contact with the State agency regarding assistance under the State program funded under this part (or under a State program funded with qualified State expenditures (as defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i)));(ii)if applicable, shall be provided to a kinship caregiver at the time the kinship caregiver attends an eligibility interview for assistance (either on the kinship caregiver's own behalf or on behalf of the child) under such a program funded under this part; or(iii)if the kinship caregiver (or the child) is already receiving assistance under such a program on the date of enactment of this paragraph, shall be sent to the kinship caregiver as soon as practicable after such date.(C)

Provision of guidance to kinship caregivers

(i)

In general

A State to which a grant is made under section 403 shall ensure that the State agency responsible for administering the State program funded under this part employs a resource employee or contracts with a community-based organization. Such resource employee or community-based organization shall have the necessary expertise to provide guidance to kinship caregivers, including grandparents and other relative caregivers, of a minor child who is a recipient of or may be seeking assistance under the program (or under a State program funded with qualified State expenditures (as defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i))) on—(I)eligibility requirements for a State program funded under this part (or under a State program funded with qualified State expenditures (as defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i))), including the relevant documentation and application information required to apply for such programs;(II)legal options regarding custody and guardianship of the child, including explaining to the kinship caregiver how each legal option corresponds to the availability of benefits and services, if any;(III)eligibility for guardianship assistance payments if the State has elected to make guardianship assistance payments under section 471(a)(28); and(IV)how the receipt of benefits under the State program funded under this part (or under a State program funded with qualified State expenditures (as defined in section 409(a)(7)(B)(i))) could impact eligibility for other programs.(ii)

Serving as a liaison

A resource employee or community-based organization described in clause (i) shall serve as a liaison with other agencies and community-based organizations that provide resources and assistance to kinship caregivers, which may include guidance for initiating the process of obtaining foster family licensure.

(b)

Inclusion in State plan

Section 402(a)(1)(B) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 602(a)(1)(B)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(vi)The document shall provide a detailed explanation of how the State intends to comply with section 408(a)(13).