The cost and benefits of cash and services to kinship caregivers.
The federal government provides payments to foster parents and licensed relatives who care for abused and neglected children through Title IV-E funds. However, unlicensed relatives must seek assistance through another federal program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, which provides lesser amounts of assistance than provided to foster parents and licensed relatives. To redress differences, many states provide supplemental assistance to relative caregivers. This paper profiles one Northeastern state's approach to caregiver rate disparities. The profiled Northeastern state contracted with 17 nonprofit agencies to provide 19 social services. The amount paid for services increased the total public assistance to relative caregivers but also caused licensed relative caregivers to receive more than all other types of caregivers receiving public assistance, thus continuing not eliminating caregiver rate disparities. In addition, services increased during the contract period but decreased again after the contract ended. Further, contract amounts were reduced each year of a 3-year contract. Policy implications for child safety, well-being, and placement permanence are discussed.
Dorch
Edwina
E
School of Social Welfare, University of Albany, USA. edorch@aol.com
Mumpower
Jeryl
J
Jochnowitz
Leona
L
D017028:Caregivers / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005380:Financing, Government; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009511:New England; D012106:Research; D013219:State Government