What is the Subsidized Guardianship Program?
This program helps the Department of Children and Families (DCF) create permanent plans for children who
- are placed with a relative or family friend,
- can’t return home,
- and have lived with their relative (kinship caregiver) for at least six months.
The program provides:
- A monthly board and care payment equal to the prevailing foster care rate (minus any income the child has, such as social security)
- Fully paid HUSKY Health medical insurance for the child
Caregivers may receive the subsidy until the child turns 18 years old. The subsidy will continue until they turn 21 if they’re in:
- Continuous full-time attendance at a secondary school, postsecondary vocational-technical school, college, or university, or
- A state-accredited job-training program
How subsidies are determined
The program follows this process to determine and grant subsidies:
- A foster or kinship caregiver tells their local Department of Children and Families (DCF) social worker they are interested in the program. A relative is an adult related by blood, marriage, or adoption descended from a common ancestor not more than three generations removed (from the child).
- The social worker determines whether the placement should become permanent. If it’s in the best interest of the child:
- The social worker files a Motion to Revoke/Transfer Custody with the Superior Court for Juvenile Matters.
- The motion is reviewed by a judge.
If guardianship is granted:
- The guardian applies for a subsidy.
- DCF determines whether a financial and medical subsidy may be authorized, based on the child’s financial needs.
- The application case is closed.
- The financial and medical subsidy case is managed by DCF’s Subsidy Unit, 505 Hudson St, Hartford, CT 06106..
- DCF’s Subsidy Unit reviews each subsidy annually.
- Guardians submit a sworn statement about whether the child is still living with them and receiving their financial support.
- The unit determines whether the subsidy should continue, be modified, or end.
- Guardians may request a subsidy hearing if they disagree with a proposal to modify or end a guardianship subsidy.
Relative guardians may be eligible for a one-time payment of up to $500 per child. This is for expenses directly related to the custody process. It doesn’t cover daycare, clothing, or other services that may have been paid under foster care.
The Subsidized Guardianship Program was authorized by the Connecticut legislature in 1998. It recognizes the importance of financially supporting kinship caregivers of kids in DCF care. See Public Acts 97-272, Sec. 7 and 05-254 effective 10-1-05.