HHS Kinship Care

Kinship Care is a program to help support a child who lives outside of his or her home with a relative. The child may be living temporarily or for the long term with a relative such as: 

• An adult brother or sister 

• A first cousin 

• A nephew or niece 

• An uncle or aunt or a grandparent 

• Others by blood or marriage (see Wisconsin  Administrative Code Section DCF 58.02(22) for the specific definition) 

Expanded definition of “relative” – Adds “first cousin once removed” to the definition of relative in 48.02(15) Adding “like kin” definition – Defines “like kin” and incorporates a tribal nation’s definition 48.02(12c) “Like-kin” means an individual who has a significant emotional relationship with a child or the child’s family that is similar to a familial relationship and who has not previously been the child’s licensed foster parent. For an Indian child, “like kin” includes individuals identified by the child’s tribe according to tribal tradition, custom or resolution, code, or law.

Kinship care can help a family support a child when the relative caregiver might be under stress or when the child has experienced abuse or neglect. 

With this support, placing a child in a foster home or another out-of-home care setting may be avoided. For children in the child welfare system who cannot continue living at home with his or her parents, Kinship Care may be another placement option. 

The eligibility and program requirements for Kinship Care are set forth in Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter DCF 58

There are three basic eligibility requirements for Kinship Care: 

1. the basic needs of the child can be better met with the relative than with the parent 

2. the placement is in the best interests of the child 

3. the child currently or might meet the requirements to be in need of protection or services if the child were to remain with his or her parent(s)

Other requirements include: 

• You must reside in Waukesha County 

• a criminal background check on the relative caretaker and all adult household members; 

• cooperation with the agency by the relative caretaker 

• the relative caretaker must apply for other public assistance or benefits the child might be eligible for 

• the relative caretaker must cooperate with referring the parents to child support, unless the relative caretaker is granted an exemption 

• the child’s parent cannot reside in the kinship home 

• Kinship living arrangements and eligibility must be reviewed every 12 months 

• The amount of Kinship Care funding to be provided for a child is determined by state statute. For 2024, the Kinship payment is $375 per qualifying child.

If you are interested in more information about Kinship Care for a child you are caring for, please contact the Waukesha County Foster Care Team: 

Email: fostercare@waukeshacounty.gov 

Call: (262) 548-7373 

If you are not sure what category your situation falls into, you can use the Kinship Navigator, a tool which will help you know where to go to find the help you need based on your unique situation.

Click here to begin: Kinship Navigator | Wisconsin Department of Children and Families 

Here are some links that may be helpful for additional resources: 

• Kinship Care in Wisconsin 

• Food Share is a program that helps low-income families and individuals buy nutritious food.  For more information, visit FoodShare Wisconsin-A Recipe for Good Health. 

• Medical Assistance or Medicaid Coverage may be available for you or the child you are caring for. 

• Wisconsin Works (W-2) provides employment preparation services, case management, and cash assistance to eligible families. 

• Child Support helps parents get court orders for financial and medical support for their children. 

• Learn more about available Child Care resources.