Michigan has become the first state to implement separate licensing standards for kin caregivers, according to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. This approval follows a similar move by the Salt River Pima Tribe in Arizona.
Becerra commented on the development, saying, "It is often grandparents who step up to care for a grandchild when that child’s parent can’t. We must be partners with those grandparents and support their commitment to care for the child while a parent gets back on their feet, so more children don’t end up in foster care." He added, "Michigan’s robust support for kin caregivers has made it a national leader. The approval of Michigan’s plan means more kin caregivers will receive the financial support they deserve when caring for family members."
In September 2023, HHS finalized a regulation allowing child welfare agencies to adopt simplified licensing or approval standards for all kin foster family homes, as per an HHS news release. The regulation also mandates states to provide kin caregivers with the same amount of financial assistance that other foster care providers receive. This measure aligns with governmental executive orders aiming to keep families together and promote fairness within the childcare system.
Elizabeth Hertel, Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, expressed her enthusiasm about this progress. She said, "Michigan has long recognized the value of kin caregivers and we are excited to be the first state in the country to have an approved licensing standard for kin." She continued, "It is often grandparents and other family members who step in to provide a loving home when parents are unable to do so and they must be supported."
The ultimate goal outlined in the news release is simplifying the process for caregivers seeking approval as foster caregivers. Past laws posed challenges for family members aspiring to become caregivers when a child in their family entered foster care. The new law aims at facilitating relatives' access to services and funding for children in kinship foster care.
