Kinship

Kinship care refers to situations when a relative or non-relative has taken over the full-time care, nurturing, and protection of a child. The definition for kinship caregivers also goes beyond the scope of blood relatives and may include an adult who has a legal adoptive relationship, a familiar relationship or a bond with the child and/or family.

Download A Guide to Kinship Care

If so, visit the Public Children Services Association of Ohio webpage and Ohio Grandparent-Kinship Coalition websites for helpful information.

For additional advice and tools for kinship care, review the Ohio Resource Guide for Relatives Caring for Children. 

Click here to download the Ohio Guardianship Guide

The Kinship program is designed to provide a one-stop-shop for support services to kinship families, while a case is open with FCCS. The goal is to ensure teamwork and communication between kinship families and the agency. Services include:

• Educational orientation about FCCS and support services
• Limited material assistance (to those who qualify)
• Assistance with transition of the youth into the home

Additional information can be found in our kinship brochure. 

Click here to view a printable copy

To contact FCCS regarding open kinship cases, call (614) 341-6161.

Some kinship families are eligible to receive help through Ohio's Kinship Permanency Incentive (KPI) Program. KPI is a state initiative that provides kinship families who meet eligibility requirements and who received legal custody or guardianship of a kinship youth on or after July 1, 2005, with time-limited incentive payments. To provide additional help, Children Services has expanded that program by offering matching funds to eligible kinship caregivers to further assist those who apply for and receive state assistance. Families may be eligible for Children Services' matching funds at redetermination for the state KPI program.

To begin the process to be assessed for KPI funds, the kinship caregiver must fill out the form attached at this link and submit it to the kinship department at 855 W. Mound St. Columbus, Ohio 43223. If you have questions, contact FCCS via the KPI Phone Line at (614) 275-2642 or email kpi@fccs.us. Download KPIP Packet 2023-2024

Some other helpful information to review includes the Ohio Administrative Code rule that governs KPI and a list of frequently asked questions.

Franklin County Children Services can only assess kinship caregivers living within Franklin County. If you reside outside of Franklin County, please contact your local children services agency for assistance.

For more information about FCCS's Kinship program, call (614) 341-6161. 

Click here to send an email to our Kinship Department

To make a report of child abuse or neglect in Franklin County, Ohio, call the 24-Hour Child Abuse Hotline at (614) 229-7000 or visit the offices of Intake, Assessment, and Investigations at 4071 E. Main St., Whitehall, OH 43213.