When children need to be temporarily separated from their parents, LCCS first looks to caring, nurturing relatives or extended family members to welcome the children into their homes. Living with kinship caregivers can be less traumatic for children than placement in non-relative foster care.

LCCS provides kinship caregivers with a variety of services and supports to encourage stable and successful placements. We help relatives meet the children’s needs while working with the parents to complete a case plan. These services range from counseling, to educational support, to financial assistance. LCCS also administers the Kinship Permanency Incentive Program (KPI), a state program that provides financial assistance for eligible kinship caregivers who received legal custody of children after July 1, 2005.

Ohio Resource Guide for Relatives Caring for Children (ODJFS) (PDF)

Kinship Care: Relatives Caring for Children

Kinship Permanency Incentive brochure

Understanding Custody Alternatives (PDF)

In-Home Support

LCCS Community Advocates are available to assist kinship caregivers with important tasks, such as linking them with community programs, applying for JFS benefits and enrolling children in school.

Training

Ongoing training is available to assist kinship caregivers in dealing with changing family relationships, behavior management, caring for children whose parents have substance use disorders and other valuable topics. Information on these training classes is provided in the agency’s quarterly foster parent training calendar, accessible here.

Other Useful Links

Kinship Navigator

Statewide PCSAO Kinship Website 

Lucas County Department of Job and Family Services

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

Lucas County Health Department

Help Me Grow

ABLE/LAWO

Cherry Street Mission Ministries

Connecting Kids to Meals

East Toledo Family Center

The Friendly Center

MLK Kitchen for the Poor

Toledo Seagate Food Bank

Toledo-Northwest Ohio Food Bank

WIC