Kinship Caregiver Support Options

Option 1:KINSHIP FOSTER CARE

Sometimes a child cannot live safely with their parents. Relatives or friends of the family may then provide care in their home. This is known as kinship care.

Kinship foster care is foster care given by a relative by blood marriage or adoption, or any person with close family ties who can provide full-time nurturing and support of children who must be separated from their parents.

These children have been removed from their parent’s home and have been placed in the custody of Suffolk County.

Please see videos below to see the benefits and details regarding Kinship Foster Care.

Option 2: ARTICLE 10/ “N-DOCKET”/ DIRECT PLACEMENT

No foster care support or stipend but most of the same responsibilities

Removal ordered by a judge (Article 10, Temporary Custody). Court retains jurisdiction over custodial arrangements of the child. Suffolk County DSS still has care and control of the child. Courts and Suffolk County DSS continue efforts to support the parent. Parents can get their child back at any time.

Option 3: ARTICLE 6/ “V-DOCKET”/ LEGAL CUSTODY

Legal Custody is also known as Article 6 or V-docket custody.

A caregiver can get legal custody without child welfare involvement. Decision making authority comes from a court order. A caregiver with legal custody has the rights to authority to enroll the child in school and to enroll and receive coverage for the child in the person’s employer-based health insurance.

The child’s parents still have parental rights and may seek visitation with the child or later file a petition to regain custody of the child.

Any other questions?

Feel free to view/ print this informational packet below:

https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:f132f5cb-738c-4cca-b111-182bb7206f4

Tina Marie Basile
631-813-9572
tbasile@hfyny.org