Skamania Klickitat Community Network
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Grandparents and relative caregivers

Kinship Care - What is it?

Offered through Children's Home Society in Vancouver, Washington, this program helps grandparents and other relatives in Clark, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, Klickitat, and Skamania Counties navigate the legal, financial, and resource challenges that come from raising younger relatives. Kinship care is typically classified in two ways: informal or formal. Relatives play an essential role in helping to meet the needs of children who are unable to live with their parents. The connection to family, relatives, and community is important to a growing child:
  • Children can live with people they already know and trust.
  • Children can maintain their personal and cultural identity.
  • Families learn to rely on their own resources and strengths.
The type of kinship care you engage in will affect the legal rights you have regarding the child's care. Learn more about the different types of kinship care as well as resources available to help you or someone you know take on the challenging task of parenting again.
Thank you for doing what you are doing.
Funds are provided in part by the Southwest Washington Agency on Aging and Disabilities.  For more information, call Tammy Bedlion at Children’s Home Society at 360-695-1325, ext. 4214.
Families with open Child Protective Services cases are not eligible for this program. Other resources are available to meet your needs.
Use the following link for more information:
http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/fosterparents/be_Kinshipsupportfunds.asp
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Click here for additional programs and information to help you find answers regarding raising a relative's child:
http://www.dshs.wa.gov/kinshipcare/


Other resources are available as well

  • Family Health Hotline
  • Financial Help
  • Tax benefits information
  • Benefits CheckUp - BCU is a FREE comprehensive online service to screen for federal, state, and some local public and private benefits for adults ages 55 and over. BCU can help you connect to programs that help pay for prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other needs. BCU also provides a detailed description of the programs, contacts for additional information, and materials to help successfully apply for each.
  • Child Care
  • Free or reduced price food
  • Foster care resources
  • Resources for a Child with a Developmental Disability and/or Delay
Early intervention services, for children, birth to three, are available through the Washington State Early Support for Infants and Toddler’s - ESIT program.
If you care for a child with a disability or have a concern about a child’s development, birth to three, call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588 and ask for the name of a Family Resources Coordinator - FRC in your local community.  The FRC will help you find out if a child you care for is eligible for early intervention services.  You do not need a referral from a doctor to call.  The WithinReach website provides essential resources for family health.
For more information about Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (formerly ITEIP)
visit their website or call (360) 725-3500.
Please Ask, Babies Can’t Wait
Services for individuals diagnosed with a developmental disability and/or delay may be available through DSHS' Division of Developmental Disabilities - DDD .   For more information visit the DDD website.

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