A case worker must first be able to show that the child(ren) would be at risk of abuse and/or neglect if they continued to reside in the parental home or that the child has been abused and/or neglected by the natural parents. To place a child with a relative, proof of legal relationship of second cousin or closer is required. The relative must also demonstrate an ability to meet the needs of the child and be able to provide a safe and stable living environment.

The relative and any other person over the age of 10 residing in the home must agree to have a local and state criminal background check completed in addition to a check into any current or past involvement with Child Protective Services. Results of these checks that demonstrate extensive contacts with law enforcement or child protective services by an adult in the home may cause the applicant to be denied kinship care funding.

A home visit by a case worker must be conducted to ensure that the home environment is appropriate and safe for the child. If these criteria are met, the relative will be approved to receive the kinship care grant.

Contacting the child’s natural parents to be sure they know of and approve of the child’s living arrangements is required unless it is a court ordered placement.

Acquiring information to refer the natural parents to the child support agency in an attempt to recoup the cost of the kinship care grant is also required.                                                                                    

The State of Wisconsin provides a grant in the amount of $375 per month per child for relatives meeting the eligibility requirements. However, due to funding, there could be a waiting list for the program. If this needs to occur, applicants are placed on a waiting list in the order their application is received. Once funding is available, the case worker will contact the relative to determine if they meet the eligibility requirements listed above. There is one exception in that children placed in a relatives’ home under a Juvenile Court order are not subject to the waiting list.

• The child receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• The natural parent resides in the home
• The criminal check does not meet state requirements
• The child resides with someone not identified as a legal relative
• The jurisdictional and need criteria are not met as defined by Wisconsin State Statutes
• If relative has a significant Child Protective Services history 

The child may be eligible for medical assistance and child care funding. Eligibility for these programs is determined by the W-2 Economic Support Programs. To apply call Outagamie County Economic Support at (920) 832-5168.

A support group may be available to all Outagamie County residents that are raising their grandchildren or other minor relatives. This group focuses on the roles grandparents and relatives play, and provides an opportunity to meet others who share similar experiences, knowledge, strengths and hopes. This support group provides a place to belong and is a network of support.  Please contact the Foster Care/Kinship Care team at 920-832-5161 to determine the status of the support group meeting dates and times.

Kinship Care cases are reviewed by the Foster Care/Kinship Care team on a yearly basis to ensure that the relative continues to meet eligibility requirements. If there are concerns about the stability of the living arrangements, the assigned case worker may have more frequent contact. Children who are placed with relatives under a juvenile court order will also have a case worker from the Children, Youth and Families Division who will monitor the placement on a consistent basis. In both scenarios, a case worker will be expected to visit with the child on a monthly basis.

Call (920) 832-5161 and ask to be transferred to the foster care/kinship care social worker or email the following link: HHSFoster@outagamie.org.