Grandparents Raising Children Support Group
This community is dedicated to grandparents who are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren. In cases where the parents are not willing or able to provide adequate care for their children, grandparents may take on the role of primary caregivers. Join the support group to find support, share your experience, and get advice from other members.
The sad thing about taking in our grandchildren is that most of us are in the dark in the whole process. I didnt mind that we would be covering costs however; I was told that they would cover childcare and then was told that the county that my gs was taken by CPS can't fund childcare because we live in a different county. If I had known earlier I would had worked on childcare through our Calworks in our county and we wouldn't had the stress of scrambling three days before I was to return to work! I had 6 wks off and I feel that they could have found out I was not eligible much earlier.
A few weeks ago I received flyers for the Kinship and other relative resource contacts. I have left messages however; I have never received a call back. I assume that they are overloaded with helping with low staff. I pretty much gave up on getting any call backs on them. I just received a flyer that has In-Service Training with the dates of the training workshops. My husband and I are very excited that we are finally able to be involved in the process to guardianship/adopt our grandson.
Last week I received a call from foster care eligibility caseworker and she was very good at explaining the process and also assisted me with working with Cal Works for childcare funds and she told me it would be best to write them. I typed up what the eligibility worker told me to do and I faxed it from work to our calworks caseworker it took one day and I received a call back!! She was a little upset and was defenses however; when we hung up we both were clear and I again was given another required doc needed to complete our case.
I usually am really good at requesting things in writing but this is an area that I already felt weird asking for money. We never had to ask for state help in the past and the times that I have had appt's with calworks were usually set during my lunch time and it was always a rush for me and my concentration was racy.
Yesterday, I receive my first check (I think for clothing) and a voucher to sign for my first full month check which I think will come on the 15th. Yeah!!! Our savings have been dwindling since we took in my gs. The childcare is the highest cost for us and formal is running second.
I saw a side of my SW on our last visit that maybe he is supportive to relative care. I work for our local School District and we were talking about cuts and how the school that I work for doesnt receive federal funds because it isnt a title 1 school (low income) and we rely on the PTA to buy copy machines and other things the school needs. He then stated that it's upsetting to him to see that the licensed foster care receives more money then the relative caregivers.
Have a great holiday...Grandparents!!
Judi
A few weeks ago I received flyers for the Kinship and other relative resource contacts. I have left messages however; I have never received a call back. I assume that they are overloaded with helping with low staff. I pretty much gave up on getting any call backs on them. I just received a flyer that has In-Service Training with the dates of the training workshops. My husband and I are very excited that we are finally able to be involved in the process to guardianship/adopt our grandson.
Last week I received a call from foster care eligibility caseworker and she was very good at explaining the process and also assisted me with working with Cal Works for childcare funds and she told me it would be best to write them. I typed up what the eligibility worker told me to do and I faxed it from work to our calworks caseworker it took one day and I received a call back!! She was a little upset and was defenses however; when we hung up we both were clear and I again was given another required doc needed to complete our case.
I usually am really good at requesting things in writing but this is an area that I already felt weird asking for money. We never had to ask for state help in the past and the times that I have had appt's with calworks were usually set during my lunch time and it was always a rush for me and my concentration was racy.
Yesterday, I receive my first check (I think for clothing) and a voucher to sign for my first full month check which I think will come on the 15th. Yeah!!! Our savings have been dwindling since we took in my gs. The childcare is the highest cost for us and formal is running second.
I saw a side of my SW on our last visit that maybe he is supportive to relative care. I work for our local School District and we were talking about cuts and how the school that I work for doesnt receive federal funds because it isnt a title 1 school (low income) and we rely on the PTA to buy copy machines and other things the school needs. He then stated that it's upsetting to him to see that the licensed foster care receives more money then the relative caregivers.
Have a great holiday...Grandparents!!
Judi
I still often get confused about things. That's why I hired a lawyer for the visitation challenge. Between what I was told and what each county believes, noone seems to know where my rights stand. It can be very confusing at times.
IMO - they (the state), if they are going to regulate this, need to get it straightened out, because noone seems to know anything about anything at this point. And it should be clear to everyone, because whenever there is doubt and diversity and inconsistency in the law, it only hurts the kids. IMO
And yes, it has changed in the last few years. Kinship care just went into effect a few years ago. I'm not sure exactly what year, tho. I've had gs 4 years and it was before that. Prior to that relatives caring for gc had to become foster homes. They got more money, but I think they had to actually become licensed like a foster home in order to get the funds. We get less money now, but do not have to jump through all of the hoops of the foster care system. It's prolly a good thing overall.
In WI we also get whatever child support goes over and above the state support. It took my son 3 years to pay everything he owed the state, but once he got caught up I get a small check every month or so with the "overage". Not much, but hey, every little bit helps. And I only get the "overage" when he is actually employed and paying child support. :P
I hope you can work out the day care. I know they even offered me respite care, but again, we couldn't find a licensed facility/person who was willing to do it. :P
The day care was a big help when I had a sitter that worked my schedule. But she went out of daycare altogether.
Hope it works out for you!
I googled Purchase of Care in WI
on that site on the left column it said other programs it then took me to the link I posted. It talks about the POC programs what you have to do to be eligible and income.
Now in my state, it should be in all states, they don't take mine or my boyfriends income into account b/c we aren't his parent's. We didn't decided to have a baby....we were put in a position where we now HAVE A BABY. But I would look into it they should help pay/if not pay for it all..
http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/childcare/wishares/pdf/agencies.pdf
I wouldn't have found out about this program because it wasn't listed with all my paperwork when my gs was placed with us. I found out through our school district I work for.
It has be be a licensed child care can be a home of center. I found a home that works with our schedule and close to my husband's job.
Judi
So any way I thought that you lived in WI also...duh All I had to do was click on your name and I would see that is was CA.