For Grandparents and Relative Guardians

For grandparent information please click here.

In Connecticut, more than 21,000 children live in households headed by a grandparent with neither parent present. Studies show that kinship care fosters a child's development and understanding of their family and community identity. In addition, youth in kinship care have fewer behavioral problems and lower incidence of mental health problems.

But for those struggling financially, providing adequate kinship care can be challenging or nearly impossible. Services and financial support can increase a kinship family's ability to manage the complexities of providing kinship care.

In 1998, the Children's Trust Fund established the Kinship Fund, 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.

Because these children are not in foster care, their caregivers are not eligible for foster care subsidies through the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. The small grants provided through the Kinship Fund help make life normal for children facing a difficult adjustment to new circumstances.

These grants range from $50 to $250 per child and up to $1,000 for all children living in a household and are provided to meet certain needs, such as school supplies, after-school enrichment, extracurricular activities and additional expenses critical to the adequate development of children.

For grandparents and relative caregivers, the Grandparent Respite Fund provides grants in amounts up to $2,000. 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.

For more information on financial assistance available through the Kinship Fund or Respite Fund, or to refer a grandparent or relative guardian for a grant, call the Child Development Infoline at (800) 505-7000 or click here.

For grandparent information please click here.