FAQ Answers – Full

1. What is kinship care?
Kinship care in Michigan is when a child is raised by a relative or close family friend instead of their parent. This includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, adult siblings, cousins, or trusted family friends.

Types of kinship care arrangements:

• Informal / unlicensed: no court involvement

• Guardianship: court-ordered through probate

• Licensed kinship foster care: through MDHHS Kinship Care Program

• Adoption: permanent legal parent-child relationship

Important: Choosing one type of kinship care does not prevent you from changing to another option later. For example:

• Informal caregivers can later pursue guardianship, licensed foster care, or adoption.

• Guardianship does not prevent later licensing for foster care payments.

• Adoption is permanent but may qualify for adoption subsidies if the child was previously in foster care.

Financial support eligibility depends on the current placement or program. Families have flexibility to adapt as circumstances change.

​

2. What is an unlicensed (informal) kinship caregiver?

An unlicensed (informal) kinship caregiver is a relative or close family friend who is caring for a child without involvement from the child welfare system and without being licensed as a foster parent.

​

In these arrangements, the child’s parent(s) retain full legal rights and can request the child return to their care at any time.

Because there is no court order or legal custody in place, the caregiver may have limited legal authority, which can make it difficult to enroll the child in school, consent to medical care, or access certain services without additional documentation.

​

Informal kinship care can be either short-term or long-term. Understanding available options—such as power of attorney or guardianship—can help families create greater stability for the child.

​

3. What is licensed kinship foster care / MDHHS kinship program?

Licensed kinship foster care is a formal arrangement in which a relative or someone with a significant relationship to the child cares for them through the child welfare system.

​

In these cases, the child has typically come to the attention of Children’s Protective Services (CPS), and placement is coordinated by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

​

Caregivers must become licensed foster parents, which includes completing training, background checks, and home inspections. Once licensed, caregivers receive ongoing caseworker support and access to services designed to support both the child and the family.

​

Licensed kinship caregivers may be eligible for monthly foster care payments, Medicaid for the child, childcare assistance, and other supportive services. This program provides legal structure, oversight, and financial support, helping create stability and ensuring access to resources that are typically not available in informal caregiving arrangements.

​

4. Do I need legal guardianship to care for a child?

Guardianship is not required for short-term or informal care, but it can provide stronger legal authority and stability—especially for longer-term situations.

Without guardianship:

• The child’s parent(s) retain full legal rights

• Caregivers may have limited ability to enroll the child in school or consent to medical care without written permission (such as a power of attorney)

• Some public benefits may still be available, including TANF (child-only grants), SNAP, Medicaid, and childcare assistance, depending on eligibility

With guardianship (through the court):

• The caregiver has legal authority to enroll the child in school, consent to medical care, and make day-to-day decisions

• Parents retain residual rights (such as visitation or the ability to petition the court)

• Provides greater stability and legal recognition for long-term care

Guardianship can be modified or ended, but only through the court, based on the child’s best interests.

Guardianship is separate from the foster care system and does not include foster care payments.

​

5. What are the different types of guardianship in Michigan?
Michigan probate court recognizes:

• Full guardianship: complete decision-making authority over the child’s legal, medical, and educational matters

• Limited / temporary guardianship: authority limited to specific areas (school, medical, or temporary care)

• Emergency guardianship: short-term authority for urgent safety concerns​

 

6. What is a Medical/Healthcare Power of Attorney?

A Medical/Healthcare Power of Attorney (Delegation of Parental Authority) is a legal document in which a parent authorizes a caregiver to make medical decisions for their child.

• Useful for informal or temporary kinship arrangements

• Allows the caregiver to consent to:

  • Doctor visits

  • Medical treatment and medications

  • Emergency care

• Does not typically grant authority for school enrollment or other legal decisions

• Can be time-limited or revoked by the parent at any time

 

7. Can I enroll the child in school without guardianship?

Yes—sometimes, but it depends on the school district.

• Some districts accept:

  • Caregiver affidavits

  • Proof the child lives with you

• Others may require:

  • Guardianship or legal custody documentation

Children experiencing housing instability may qualify for protections under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which allows immediate school enrollment without typical documents.

 

8. Can I take the child to the doctor?
Caregivers can consent to medical care if they have:

• Guardianship

• Licensed foster placement through MDHHS

• Medical/Healthcare POA

Without one of these, providers may deny treatment. Emergency care is almost always be provided.

​

9. What is the difference between guardianship, foster care, and adoption?

Option: Guardianship

• Legal Authority: Caregiver can make day-to-day decisions (education, medical, etc.) through a court order

• Parental Rights: Parents retain residual rights and can petition the court

• Benefits / Support: Access to school and healthcare decision-making; may qualify for TANF, Medicaid, SNAP

• Duration: Can be temporary or long-term

• Ability to Change / Access Support: Can be modified or ended through the court; separate from foster care system

Option: Licensed Foster Care

• Legal Authority: Child remains under court jurisdiction; care is supervised by MDHHS

• Parental Rights: Parents retain limited rights while working a case plan

• Benefits / Support:

  • Monthly foster care payments

  • Medicaid for the child

  • Caseworker and service support

• Duration: Until reunification, guardianship, adoption, or age 18 (or extended care)

• Ability to Change / Access Support: Caregivers may adopt if reunification is not possible; payments are tied to active placement/licensing

Option: Adoption

• Legal Authority: Adoptive parent becomes the child’s full legal parent

• Parental Rights: Birth parents’ rights are terminated by the court

• Benefits / Support:

  • Permanent legal status

  • Adoption subsidies may be available (especially if adopted from foster care)

• Duration: Permanent and lifelong

• Ability to Change / Access Support: Cannot be reversed (except in rare legal circumstances); subsidies may continue if eligible

​

10. Can I receive financial assistance if I’m not licensed?

Yes. Even if you are not a licensed foster parent, you may still qualify for certain supports. Many unlicensed (informal) kinship caregivers are eligible for:

• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) – child-only grants that are based on the child’s income, not the caregiver’s

• SNAP (food assistance) – to help cover grocery costs

• Medicaid – health insurance coverage for the child

• Childcare assistance – to support working caregivers

• Social Security benefits – in some cases (for example, if the child receives survivor or disability benefits)

Eligibility for these programs is typically determined through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and may vary based on your situation.

 

​​11. What if the child has behavioral or emotional challenges?
Common challenges include:

• Anxiety or clinginess

• Aggression or acting out

• Withdrawal

• Sleep disturbances

• Regression

Support options: trauma-informed counseling, consistent routines, Community Mental Health agencies, Family Enrichment Center parenting workshops.

​

12. Are there support groups for kinship, foster, or adoptive caregivers?

• Michigan Kinship Care Resource Center (MSU Extension)

• Facebook

• Family Enrichment Center programs

 

13. I am overwhelmed. Where do I start?

1. Ensure the child is safe and stable

2. Contact MDHHS to explore benefits

3. Reach out to Family Enrichment Center for guidance

 

14. Does Family Enrichment Center provide legal advice?
No. We provide guidance, education, and referrals. For legal questions:

• Legal Services of South Central Michigan

• Michigan Legal Help

• Low-cost or free attorneys