For Grandparents and Relative Guardians

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Making the decision to become the guardian of a loved one's child can be emotionally and financially challenging. If you are having difficulty making ends meet, the Children's Trust Fund can help.

The Kinship Fund is a probate-court administered program that provides small grants for orphaned or abandoned children in the care of relatives who are court-appointed legal guardians. These grants range from $50 to $250 per child and up to $1,000 for all children living in a household.

This money may be used for clothing, medication, food, school supplies, tutoring, after-school enrichment, extracurricular activities and other expenses critical to a child's healthy development.

The Grandparent Respite Fund provides grants in amounts up to $2,000 for grandparents and relative caregivers. Recipients may use the money for anything that brings them respite and helps them take the child into their home, including housing, transportation and child care expenses.

The Kinship Fund and Respite Fund ease this transition by providing what you and the child need during this difficult adjustment period to make life more normal.

To learn more about the Kinship Fund or Respite Fund, or for connections to support in your community, call the Child Development Infoline at (800) 505-7000.

For provider information please click here.