Relative & Non-Relative Caregivers
Providing training, resources, and support for caregivers.
What is Caregiver Support?
Caregiver Support is a program to provide supports, links to community resources, and financial resources to your family as you care for a child who was removed from their home. We hope that this program is a temporary resource while the child’s parents work through challenges they need to in order for the child(ren) to safely return home. However, if this is not possible and you are given the opportunity to become a permanent guardian to the child(ren), there are benefit options to ensure you are able to receive ongoing assistance until the child(ren) reaches adulthood.
Connect with our Caregiver Support Department
at 863-519-8900 x 305 or email us!
Supports Available through Caregiver Support
1.
Child receives Medicaid to cover medical, dental, and behavioral health services.
2.
Accessibility to our team to discuss available supports and programs you would
be eligible to apply for.
3.
Access to trainings and support to educate and equip you about the impact of trauma and caring for a child who has experienced trauma.
4.
Monthly stipend upon completion of onboarding process for Level 1, Child Specific Foster Care Licensing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Throughout the life of a case, you’ll interact with many people in the child welfare system. You may have already met the Child Protective Investigator or Case Manager who conducted the initial home visit to place the child(ren) with you. Now, you’ll also have the support of our Caregiver Support Department—here to ensure you receive every benefit and resource you’re eligible for.
As part of this, each kinship caregiver will be connected with a Peer or Kinship Navigator, who will share information about community resources, offer guidance, and help you explore State funding options you may qualify for. If you choose to pursue Child-Specific, Level 1 Licensure, you’ll then be introduced to a Caregiver Support Specialist, who will guide you through the licensing home study and inspection process. Additionally, our Family Support Specialists are available to provide ongoing assistance and outreach to families needing continued support from Caregiver Support.
Our Department will be in contact with you to review and discuss all available supports and programs you may be eligible to apply for. If interested in Level 1, Child Specific Foster Parent Licensing, we will work closely with you to complete the requirements for licensure. Mainly, you will be provided a few training hours that better prepare you for this new role, such as training on the child welfare system and how trauma impacts children. There is a small amount of additional paperwork to complete and supporting documents to provide. Once your Level 1, Child Specific Foster Care License is approved, you may be eligible for a monthly stipend. A monthly stipend can potentially continue as long as you have the child in your legal custody, even until the child turns 18 if the case closes with you as the permanent guardian under the Guardianship Assistance Program.
A Level 1 License is child-specific, meaning it only applies to the children currently placed in your home who have an open case. If you’re interested in becoming a Level 2 (traditional) foster parent—caring for children who need a temporary placement—that requires a different type of license.
To learn more, call 863-519-8900 ext. 289 or visit our foster care page.
The time it takes to become licensed depends on how quickly you complete the paperwork, training, and home study. The sooner these steps are finished, the sooner you can be licensed. On average, the process takes about 30–90 days.
The Home Health Inspection might sound intimidating, but it’s actually a quick and straightforward process! During the visit, a specialist will make sure your home is safe, clean, and free from hazards. Key things we check include:
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Medications and chemicals are stored securely in a locked location.
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Well water (if applicable) is free from bacteria.
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Smoke detectors are working, and you have a valid fire extinguisher.
The good news is, we’re here to help you meet these standards. We can provide items like lock boxes, child safety or magnetic locks, and fire extinguishers, and we have some flexibility to waive certain non-safety-related requirements.
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Whenever there are major changes in your home—such as getting a new pet, adding a household member, starting major construction, or moving—it’s important to notify your Caregiver Support Specialist. This ensures your license stays current and up to date.
If you move to a new home, a fresh walk-through and health inspection will be required. If someone new moves in, they will need to complete a background screening.
Should the court approve to change the goal to Permanent Guardianship, approval as a Level 1, Child Specific Foster Parent can potentially make you eligible for the Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP). If you become a permanent guardian, you will complete a Guardianship Assistance Agreement. This agreement will ensure you continue to receive a monthly stipend for the child, monthly until the child is either 18 or no longer in your legal custody. If the child in your home is 16 or older when you become the permanent guardian, you will also be able to opt in to Extended Guardianship Assistance that will carry the stipend on until the child turns 21, provided they are attending school or working.
For some children, the court will determine that adoption is a more appropriate goal, and you will be given the opportunity to apply to adopt the child after the rights of the parents are terminated.
Heartland for Children's Integrated Health's Case Management Support is available to help change the Primary Care Physician (PCP) for children in care with an open case and Medicaid. You can contact them at 863-519-8900 x 230 or email HFCnurse@heartlandforchildren.org.
Rules for travel are outlined in the court-ordered shelter or placement order for the child. In most cases, the court grants the out-of-home caregiver permission to travel with the child anywhere within the continental United States for up to 14 consecutive days without needing additional court approval. Any missed visitation during this time must be rescheduled and completed within 30 days of the child’s return. Caregivers must provide written notice of travel plans to the case manager (and licensing specialist, if licensed) at least seven days before the trip, or as soon as possible for expedited travel.
If travel will be outside the continental United States or longer than 14 consecutive days, a new court order is required. The case manager can coordinate with Children’s Legal Services to prepare a motion for the court. Always review your signed court order for placement to confirm the specific travel rules that apply to your situation.
Caregivers are encouraged to lean on their natural support system for help with babysitting, overnight care, or general assistance. When choosing these supports, caregivers should follow reasonable and prudent parenting standards, ensure the arrangement does not conflict with any court orders, and inform the support person about the discipline policy, confidentiality requirements, and rules for parent visitation.
Background checks are required for any family member, friend, or support who:
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Provides care or supervision for a child placed in the home, or
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Is an adult or youth over 12 years old staying in the home for five consecutive days or seven or more days in one month.
If overnight care will exceed three nights, the case manager must be notified. Regular communication with the case manager is essential, and all supports must still comply with court orders regarding visitation.
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Children are encouraged to participate in normal school, community, and social activities and outings as appropriate for the child, based on reasonable and prudent parenting standard. Children are permitted to use social media and technology, but caregivers would use reasonable and prudent parenting to decide on this for safety and well-being of the child. If there are safety related concerns tied to social media and technology, your case manager will have those important discussions with you on rules that may differ to protect the child.
Caregivers can seek medical treatment for general appointments. For some major procedures which require sedation and any psychotropic medications, parents or court permission would be required. You may not significantly alter the child's appearance without parent's permission. Use best judgment and include parents or child's case manager when necessary.
Caregiver
Training
This is a collection of on-going trainings to help educate and equip our caregivers to best serve our youth in care.
Caregiver
Support Groups
Charlie Health offers free Parent Support Groups for parents, grandparents or guardians of teens, young adults, LGBTQIA+, Parent Support for Families of Color, El Grupo de Cuidores en Espanol and Neurodivergent youth.
Foster the Family offers monthly support groups to any and all foster, adoptive & kinship parents. The in-person support group includes a video training and guided small-group discussion. Childcare available upon request.
Where: The King’s Church, 730 Florida Ave South, Lakeland 33801
When: 4th Monday of each month at 6:30PM
Led by Karen Booker: 609-685-5502, Karen.booker@fosterthefamily.org
Website: Foster The Family | Groups: Florida
A welcoming space for relative and non-relative caregivers who are caring for children the second time around. It is a time for connection, camaraderie, and sharing among fellow “Grands”.
Website: Worthy & Known Family Project
What: Private Facebook Group to find answers to questions and support.
Who: Any & all foster and adoptive parents in Polk County
Where: Facebook - Click link here
TLC is a supportive community of foster, adoptive, relative/non-relative caregivers, and youth in independent living. They come together for monthly support groups, free dinners, trainings and free childcare. There is also a clothing closet and small food pantry.
Location: Trinity Baptist Church, 6633 Old Rd. 37, Lakeland, FL 33811
When: 3rd Friday of each month - clothing and food donations at 5:30PM; Dinner at 6PM and Training at 7PM
Questions: Contact Lori Chapman Peacock: loriapeacocktlc@gmail.com or call 813-892-3016
Website: https://tlcfamilies.org/
Facebook: TLC Association, Inc
Kin Connect is a time for relative caregivers to come together and walk away with tools for the kids in their care. Join them for support and information on managing the challenges that come with kinship caregiving.
Community Resources & Helpful Links
This local nonprofit helps meet the tangible needs of children in foster care through their ECHO shops which allow children and families to get the items they need such as clothing, diapers, wipes, backpacks, hygiene products and more for free.
Find Help
Looking for resources or programs near you? Visit heartland.findhelp.com for a searchable database–simply enter your zip code to find programs and services near YOU!
Hope Florida connects people to local resources through a caring Hope Navigator who helps create a personalized path toward stability and independence. Support is available for single parents, youth aging out of foster care, people with disabilities, seniors, veterans, and more.
Early Learning Coalition of Florida's Heartland
The Early Learning Coalition (ELC) helps ensure young children in Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, and Highlands counties have access to high-quality early education programs. These programs offer caring teachers, creative experiences, and supportive environments that help children get ready for school success.
Early Learning Coalition of Polk County
The Early Learning Coalition of Polk County provides leadership, direction, and integrated resource management for quality services that support our vision of success for children. Their vision is that all children enter school healthy, ready and eager for lifelong learning with the collaborative support of parents, families, educators, and the community.
Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI)
QPI, the Quality Parenting Initiative, is a national movement for foster care change, made up of a network of states, counties and private agencies committed to ensuring that all children in care have excellent parenting and lasting relationships so they can thrive and grow.
Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)
Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) is an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children. TBRI® uses Empowering Principles to address physical needs, Connecting Principles for attachment needs, and Correcting Principles to disarm fear-based behaviors. While the intervention is based on years of attachment, sensory processing, and neuroscience research, the heartbeat of TBRI® is connection.
Connect with Amberlee Rogers, Worthy & Known Family Project Program Director
Email: amberlee@worthyandknownfp.org | Phone: 863-443-0448
United Way's Children's Resource Center
This community-based learning and resource center provides classes, playgroups, workshops, developmental checkups, community activities, and support for parents and caregivers of children aged 0-6, as well as for expectant moms and dads. They strive to make childhood a happy, healthy, and wholesome experience for every child and parent in Polk County.
This vital service connects millions of people to help every year. To get expert, caring help, simply call 211 or visit 211.org
Check out our Resource Page with a comprehensive list of the providers we work with to serve children and families.