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Legal Issues such as Guardianship and Custody can be very problematic for individuals or families that are caring for a relative's child. Unless you have a legal document from the court stating that you have a legal right to have the child in your home, the child's parents can remove the child at any time. You can file for guardianship or custody by going to your local district courthouse or by completing this packet online.

If a child is dropped off by a parent, and the caregiver lives outside the boundaries of the child's school the new school may refuse to enroll the child in class unless the caregiver has legal custody or guardianship of the child. If you declare that the child is homeless the school has to enroll the child under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of No Child Left Behind. Thus, caregivers do not need to have legal guardianship or custody to enroll the child in school due to No Child Left Behind. Contact Weber School District: 8017744900. You may also click here for more information.

Grandfamilies can assist you in obtaining this packet if you are going to represent yourself in court or we can refer you to legal counsel.

Financial Assistance is available to all kinship caregivers by going to the Utah Division of Workforce Services. The financial aid is referred to as the Specified Relative Grant. This financial assistance is not based on the caregiver's financial status or need but on the child's assets or income. This grant also gives the child a Medicaid card for medical, mental health, and dental care. You DO NOT need to have guardianship or custody of the child to apply for this grant or Medicaid. You will need to bring a copy of the child's birth certificate and your birth certificate to show that you are biologically related to the child. You will also be required to give information to the Office of Recovery Service regarding the location of the biological parents of the child. This will enable the state of Utah to recoup this expense from the child's parents.

If you have questions call our Grandfamilies office at 801-326-4409 for more information. You can also call Medicaid Information Line: 1-800-662-9651

If you or the child you are caring for is the victim of a crime such as; domestic violence, sexual assault/abuse, physical abuse or neglect, you may be eligible for assistance for medical bills you have incurred due to the crime. You may also receive assistance in paying for mental health treatment. Grandfamilies can assist you in completing and submitting your application to Crime Victims Reparations.

Please call 877-355-7444. All inquiries made after regular business hours will be answered on the next business day.

GRANDFAMILIES is a support, advocacy, educational and crisis intervention program of the Children's Service Society. The program was created in 2002 to meet the growing needs of individuals and/or families that are caring for a relative's child. Our focus is to provide information and support to these families so that the needs of safety and permanency for the children in these families can be met. You can also contact the Children Service Society at 1-800-355-7444.