Family & Kin Caregivers

Relatives often step forward to care for children when family members can’t. Your willingness to open your home protects connection, culture, and belonging.

DCFS Louisiana is here to support you in that role.

Little girl holds grandfather's and grandmother's hands, happiness

Keeping Children Close to Family

Caring for a relative child is one of the most selfless things a person can do. Research shows that children living with relatives fare better than those placed with strangers. DCFS wants to make sure you have everything you need to keep that child safe, close, and thriving.

Louisiana Kinship Navigator

Navigating legal, financial, and social services can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already focused on caring for a child. The Louisiana Kinship Navigator is a comprehensive guide that walks you through your options, from legal custody information to financial assistance programs.

Louisiana Kinship Navigator
Download the Louisiana Kinship Navigator

When Grandparents Step In

If you’re a grandparent stepping in to care for a child, you’re not alone. Find information about assistance programs, legal options, and support services created with grandparents in mind.

Grandparents Link

Become a Certified Foster or Adoptive Parent

Becoming certified as a relative foster or adoptive parent can open the door to additional financial support, legal protections, and services for the child in your care. If you’re already caring for a relative child, certification is a helpful next step.

Becoming a Foster or Adoptive Parent
Common Questions About Foster and Adoptive Parenting

Find Assistance


Grandparents and other relative caregivers are often eligible for financial assistance from other groups we work with. Here are a few resources available to you from the Louisiana Department of Health. You can also call 1-888-LAHelp-U (1-888-524-3578) to learn more about eligibility for SNAP, KCSP or FITAP. For information on Child Support, you can call 1-877-7LA-DCFS (1-877-752-3237).

(opens in a new tab)

LA Kinship Care Support Program (KCSP)

Financial assistance for income-eligible families providing care to relative children

(opens in a new tab)

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Food assistance for income-eligible families

(opens in a new tab)

Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP)

Temporary financial assistance for eligible families

Child Support Program

Help obtaining financial support from the child’s parent(s)

*Child Support remains a DCFS program

Additional Support From the Community


Beyond DCFS, there are organizations dedicated to supporting grandparents and relative caregivers. These resources can provide peer connection, legal guidance, and advocacy.

(opens in a new tab)

LAgrg.org

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Information Center of Louisiana | 225-810-3555

(opens in a new tab)

Generations United

Intergenerational policy and advocacy for the well-being of children and older adults

(opens in a new tab)

Grandfamilies.org

National legal resource supporting grandfamilies inside and outside the child welfare system

Recent Laws of Interest to Kinship or Relative Foster Caregivers

LA RS Act 33 of 2019 allows consideration of some prior criminal convictions for relatives who were previously disqualified from receiving kinship care assistance payments or becoming a foster or adoptive parent or relative guardian of a child. This law now allows more persons, including relative and fictive kin, to be assessed as placement resources who would have otherwise been ineligible under the former law.  Individuals with convictions for felony offenses of child abuse/neglect, spousal abuse, crimes against children (including child pornography), or for certain crimes of violence including sexual assault, rape, or homicide remain ineligible for those programs.   

LA Act 240, effective Dec. 1, 2019, requires all school districts to develop policies to identify all fees and supplies required of students and to establish a waiver of payment of fees due to economic hardship. The policy would allow students, parents or legal guardians to apply for waiver of all school fees based on economic hardship. Contact your local school board or school governing authority or child’s school for information on procedures to apply for waiver.

LA Act 400 of 2019 provides extended voluntary foster care benefits and services to youth in foster care on their 18th Young adults age 18 – 21 are eligible with enrolment in educational or job training programs, or are employed at least 80 hrs /month.  Guardians who entered into a guardianship subsidy may also be eligible for continued services after the youth reaches age 18.  Young adults formerly in foster care meeting eligibility requirements may reenter program any time prior to age 21.

US – The Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act – signed into law July 9, 2019 establishes Federal Advisory Council to support grandparents and other relatives raising children. Led by US DHHS, its’ charge is to identify, promote, coordinate and disseminate information about resources and best practices to help relative caregivers meet the health,  educational, nutritional and other needs of children in their care as well as maintain their own physical and mental health and well-being.

US – Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018 (Family Foster Home Licensing Standards, and Kinship Navigator Programs),

Support for Every Path

icon-family

Parent or Guardian

DCFS Louisiana provides programs and services to help parents protect their children and build stable, supportive homes.

Parent or Guardian
icon-family

Foster or Adoptive Parent

Foster and adoptive parents play a powerful role in helping children heal, grow, and find belonging.

Foster or Adoptive Parent
icon-family

Child or Teen

This page connects you to resources, programs, and people whose job is to support you.

Child or Teen