马里兰亲属关怀 101：它是什么以及它如何提供帮助
Caring for a relative's child or family by choice (non-relative) makes a difference! Even if it's an informal arrangement, this 24/7 care is kinship care when family or a non-relative steps in to help during a parental hardship.
This guide to kinship care helps Marylanders understand kinship care and the benefits available. Many families are making a difference in this way and do not realize benefits are available to help them as a kinship family!
什么是亲属关怀？
In Maryland, kinship care is when a relative or family by choice (non-relative) cares for a non-biological child 24/7 in their home.
This temporary out-of-home care is called kinship care.
It keeps the children in a familiar family environment and connected to their community and culture.
Maryland's Kin-First Approach
Maryland's "Kin-First" approach focuses on placing children with relatives or close family friends when a parent can't care for their child due to a serious hardship.
Under the "kin-first" culture, when a child enters foster care, the Department of Social Services will try to find a kinship caregiver. This choice is preferred because it builds on existing relationships and family bonds. That familiarity with the people and environment provides a smooth transition for the child to continue developing and thriving.
亲属关怀的类型
有正式和非正式的亲属照顾者。
Formal
通过亲属照料（正式），当地社会服务部将引起他们注意的孩子安排亲属照料者。亲属维持监护权并提供 24/7 全天候护理。
Informal
With Informal Kinship Care, a relative or non-relative adult provides care and custody for a child due to serious family hardship. Legal custody is not required, and the child is not in the care, custody, or guardianship of the local Department of Social Services.
If a mother, father, or legal guardian experiences a serious hardship, they can place their child in informal kinship care. It’s a living arrangement for a child not in the care, custody, or guardianship of the local Department of Social Services.
What's a serious hardship?
The qualifying circumstances include these serious hardships:
- 放弃
- 父母的监禁
- 父母去世
- 严重疾病
- 父母遗弃
- 物质使用
- 现役军人
Who Can Provide Kinship Care?
Kinship care is a full-time living arrangement with a relative or an individual with a long-standing relationship with the child or family. The kinship caregiver nurtures, supports, and protects the child until a permanent solution is found.
Relatives
In Maryland, a kinship parent can be an individual related by blood or marriage. That may be:
- grandparent
- aunt/uncle
- cousin
- sibling
- another relative
Family by choice (non-relative)
Additionally, the kinship parent may have a long-standing relationship with the child or family. This is called family by choice (non-relative). That may be a:
- close family friend
- godparent
- neighbor
- teacher
- church member
- biological parents of a child’s sibling
How does kinship help the child?
Kinship can be a positive experience because it keeps the child connected to their family and culture.
These living arrangements support the child’s well-being in the following ways:
- Provide stability.
- Provide a safe environment.
- Give the child time to heal.
- Reduce stress and minimize trauma.
- Make it easier to adjust/transition.
- Less disruptive to daily life – academic, social, and emotional.
- Help the child thrive – developmentally, socially, emotionall,y and behaviorally.
- Preserve cultural identity.
- Encourage sibling ties.
- Maintain and strengthen family connections.
- Reduce feelings of loss and separation.
- Help the child feel like they belong, as it’s a familiar environment and people.
- Boost the resilience of the child and parent.
While there are many positives, these relationships can challenge family dynamics. Get connected to resources and support that can help in these situations.
How do you know if kinship is right for you?
There are numerous benefits to kinship care.
这 儿童局，儿童和家庭管理局的一个办公室，建议你问自己这样的问题，以确保这是对你、你的家人和孩子最好的决定：
- 你能照顾不是你自己的孩子吗？
- 你愿意照顾这些孩子吗？
- 它将如何影响您的家庭？
- 这种护理会对您的心理或情绪健康产生负面影响吗？
- 您会协助为孩子寻找一个永久的家吗？那可能是你的家、与父母团聚或其他选择。
- 您能支持孩子的社交、发展、学业和医疗需求吗？
- 你能促进孩子的社交和身体发展吗？
- 您需要什么支持来确保这种护理？
Are You Using These Benefits?
亲属照顾者通常没有意识到他们照顾的孩子有资格获得福利。
这 Annie E. Casey Foundation points out that 88% of kinship caregivers do not use Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), even though nearly all are eligible.
In Maryland, there are several ways to apply for benefit programs:
- Online: Maryland Benefits (formerly MyMDTHINK)
- Visiting: Local Department of Social Services
- Calling: 1-833-373-5867
If you are unsure whether you qualify, there is a quick 5-minute survey on Maryland Benefits to find available benefits for your family.
Maryland Benefits available
Applicants may be eligible for these benefits:
- Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), Maryland’s Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program Child Only Grant
- Child support
- Food stamps/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (折断)
- Child Care Scholarship Program (CCS)
- Medicaid-Medical Assistance (MA) 是一项州计划，为因年龄、失明、残疾、医疗需要或住在疗养院而需要帮助的个人提供健康保险。
- 公用事业援助
All applications are done through Maryland Benefits. There are additional benefits available, but the applications are made through other government systems.
马里兰健康连接
- Health benefits are provided for higher-income uninsured children up to age 19 through the 马里兰儿童健康计划 (MCHP).
社会保障管理局
- In the case of a deceased or disabled parent for a child in your care, you may be eligible for survivor benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). 向社会保障局申请.
211 can also help informal kinship caregivers find community resources, such as mental health support, food pantries, housing assistance, and more.
How To Get Kinship Help
Search the 211 Community Resource Database for kinship resources and other essential needs like food and housing.
Enter a ZIP code and find resources nearby.
Kinship Affidavits
Affidavits may be required for school enrollment or for medical care for the child.
医疗保健宣誓书
医疗保健同意书允许亲属看护人为他们照顾的孩子获得医疗保健。孩子可能会或可能不会由 DSS 监护。
亲属关怀中的孩子教育
If a school-aged child is in kinship care, they can attend public school where they live. With informal kinship care (not involving social services), the relative caregiver must complete an affidavit testifying to the serious hardship of the biological parent.
The Children in Informal Kinship Care Affidavit for education enables the informal relative caregiver to enroll the child in school and serve as their advocate and point of contact.
Kinship Support: MDKinCares
这 马里兰州人类服务部 和 211 Maryland 有一种新的方式与祖父母和亲戚联系，以照顾父母无力或不愿抚养孩子的孩子。
MDKinCare 提供：
- 快速访问信息和社区资源。
- 鼓励支持的信息。
发短信 MDKinCares 至 898211
On mobile, you can click the button.
*211 Maryland 提供短信提醒程序，提供特定地区的资源信息或灾难警报。可能收取短信和数据费用，短信频率可能有所不同。如需帮助，请发送短信“HELP”。如需退出，请向同一号码发送短信“STOP”。完整短信条款请见 https://211md.org/sms/ 也将适用。
Other Information for Kinship Families
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拨211
全天候与一位充满关爱和同情心的人交谈。他们还可以为你提供资源。
探索援助计划
了解福利计划以及如何获得支持。
实用工具
电费、煤气费和水费援助计划
移民
为新移民和难民提供移民帮助
