Kinship Care

What is Kinship Care?

Kinship Care is a program in which families caring for children of relatives may be eligible to receive financial assistance. Kinship Care representatives visit the home to learn why the child is not living with the parent and make sure that the living arrangements are safe.  Professional Services Group, Inc. administers the program for Milwaukee County. The program is designed to help financially support a child who resides outside of his or her own home, either temporarily or for the long term, with the relative (such as an adult brother or sister, a first cousin, a nephew or niece, an uncle or aunt or a grandparent, among others). Under Kinship Care, relatives caring for related children are eligible to receive $300 per month for each child. This amount will be increased in January 2024. The child’s placement with a relative can be an informal voluntary placement, or the result of a children’s court order.

What is required?

There are three basic eligibility requirements for Kinship Care:

  • the basic needs of the child can be better met with the relative than with the parent
  • the placement is in the best interests of the child
  • the child currently or would potentially meet the requirements for court jurisdiction as being in need of protection or services if the child were to remain with his or her parent(s).

A criminal background check is conducted on the relative caretaker and other adults who reside in the home. The relative caretaker must cooperate with the agency during the process, and must apply for other public assistance or benefits for which the child might be eligible. Kinship living arrangements are reviewed at least once a year to determine if the eligibility requirements continue to be met.

Where do I apply?

Professional Services Group, Inc. (Milwaukee County only)
1205 South 70th Street, Suite 401
West Allis, WI 53214
414-475-4200

Click here for information on how to apply for kinship in other counties. For more information about the Kinship Care program, please visit the WI Department of Children and Families.

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