Now That You Have Custody: Rights & Responsibilities of Kinship Caregivers

Now that You Have Custody: Rights & Responsibilities of Kinship Caregivers

All court ordered custody has two components, legal and physical. Legal custody involves the right to make long range plans and decisions for the education, religious training, discipline, non-emergency medical care and other matters of major significance concerning the child's welfare. Physical custody involves spending time with the child and making decisions about the child's everyday needs. The court may order legal and physical custody in a number of ways.

Source:

Custodian has the right to make medical and educational decisions for the child; parents are entitled to notification and may be included when appropriate.

Here are some of the steps you can take, if you have not already done so:

1) GATHERDocuments

Birth Certificate
Social Security
Medical History & Immunization Records
Custody Order
Education Records, i.e. transcripts, IEP, special service reports from previous schools

See attached list for information on replacing a birth certificate, social security card and Medical Assistance cards.

2) APPLY for Services, as needed:

Financial
Medical Assistance
Healthcare, including Physical, Dental and Mental Health

3) ENROLLchild in school, as appropriate

4) CARE for the Caregiver

RESOURCES

Where can I get copies of my child’s birth certificate and/or Social Security card?

Birth Certificate –Certified Copy

Medical Assistance Card Replacement

Harford County Health Department –

120 S. Hays St.

Bel Air, MD 21014

410-838-1500

Hours: M-F 8 am -4 pm

Bring the following documents with you:

Temporary Custody Order

Personal ID
Personal Photo ID (Current driver’s license,
Current ID card issued by MVA,
Current passport,
Current Military IF for active personnel

$30 Fee, Cash or Credit, no checks

Social Security Card Replacement

Social Security Office-Harford County

3435A Box Hill

Corporate Center Dr.

Abingdon, MD 21009

800—772-1213

Hours: M, T, Th, F 9am-4 pm

W 9 am- Noon

Directions: Fomrt 24 take emmortonrd (rt 924). Go to box hill south parkway which is approximately 1/2 block from giant. Turn onto box hill south parkway to the first street on your right. This is box hill corporate center drive. Make a right and go to the first driveway on your left. A sign will be posted showing social security administration. Make a left and the office is the first suite (suite a).

Bring the following documents with you:

Birth Certificate, certified copy
TCO, original or certified copy
Personal ID (See Birth Certificate Docs

/ AND One of the Following:

Doctor, clinic or hospital record
Religious record (e.g. baptismal record
Daycare center or school record or
School ID

Medical History & Immunizations

Where can I go to get the child(ren) immunizations/vaccinations/shots/physicals?

Consult with your child(ren)’s primary care doctor
Harford County Health Department

SERVICES

ABOUT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

What types of financial assistance are available?

Financial assistance is available to caregivers on behalf of the child/ren in their care.

Kinship Caregivers may receive child support assistance from the child’s parents if they are still alive. There are no income guidelines applicable to the Kinship Caregiver in order to receive child support assistance. However, if you choose to apply for Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), as the Kinship Caregiver you must file for child support.

Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)is available to Kinship Caregiverswhen the child is a relative. The child’s income only is considered in the application. Other benefits, such as SNAP (Food Stamps), will consider the income of the family. Medical Assistanceis automatically available to children receiving TCA. For specific information about benefits and how to apply, see the attached.

How do I get child support for my child(ren)?

The local OCSE will work to establish paternity, collect support for the child or resolve any issues you may have with your case, even if one parent lives in another state or country.

Application Process:

Complete an Application for Services. Application is available by contacting the number below, in person at the local office, or may be downloaded from the website:

Return forms to your Local Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) by mail or in person.

Pay a onetime, non-refundable $25.00 application processing fee. You may send a certified or cashier’s check or money order through the mail, or you may pay in person by cash, certified or cashier’s check or money order. Personal checks are not accepted. The fee may be waived if the Caregiver is receiving TCA or medical assistance.

Please provide all the information requested on the application.

If there are any orders for custody, paternity, including affidavits of parentage, etc., you must provide a copy. If you do not have the needed information, there may be delays until it is obtained.

The Office of Child Support must have a valid address for the absent parent before proceeding on your behalf. If you have a good home or work address for the absent parent, indicate this in writing on the form.

When your application has been processed, and a confirmed address for the absent parent is provided, you will be contacted regarding filing your case or enforcement of your order.

You must complete a separate form for each person from whom you want support. Only (1) $25 fee is required.

Harford County Office of Child Support

Mailing Address & Location

101 S. Main Street Suite 200

Bel Air, MD 21014

TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE (TCA)

Reminder: Requires filing for Child Support from Parents

Assists families whom are caring for their relative’s children with “child only” grants (based on child’s income). Kinship Caregivers, regardless of their personal income, are eligible to apply for these grants on behalf of the children to whom they are related.

Download Application:

DHR Application for TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE

Apply In Person:

Harford County Department of Social Services
2 South Bond Street, Suite 300
Bel Air, Maryland 21014
Phone: (410) 836-4700 / WAGE Connection
957 Beards Hill Road
Aberdeen, MD 21001
410-297-9243

Apply Online: MyDHR Benefits

Documents Needed:

Social Security
Birth Certificate
Custody Order

More about TCA: DHR Facts You Should Know

Information about TCA and other Family Investment benefits.

Am I eligible for Food Stamps?

SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP), Family Income Based

Formerly called the Food Stamp Program, Kinship Caregivers may apply for help with food purchases. Eligibility for this program is related to income of the Kinship Caregiver’s family. These benefits help low-income households purchase healthy and nutritious food at any participating grocery store or other retailer using an electronic debit card.

Eligibility: The amount of food stamps you get will depend on the number of people in your household and on how much monthly income is left after certain expenses.

Apply: Same as TCA

WOMENS, INFANTS & CHILDREN (WIC)

Services & Benefits Provided By WIC:

Nutrition & Health Education
Breastfeeding Information
Free Healthy food
Referrals to other health and social agencies

Eligibility:

Kinship Caregivers receiving Medical Assistance for their child, infancy through age 5, automatically meet the income guidelines. For those not receiving Medical Assistance you must meet the income criteria guidelines, which will be determined at your WIC appointment.

Application:

To set up an appointment to apply for WIC, call the WIC office. You will need to bring each person who is applying for benefits to this first appointment, including infants and all children up to age five. In preparation for your appointment, please bring the following items:

Documents Needed:

Birth Certificate
Medical Assistance Card (Child’s)
Immunization Record
Proof of Address

Appointments can be made at the following location:

Edgewood
1321 Woodbridge Station Way
Edgewood, MD 21040
410-612-1776
410-612-9182 / Office Hours
Monday – Friday / 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
3rd Monday of Each Month / 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

More about WIC:

How do I get Social Security Survivor Benefits for my child(ren)?

Social Security Administration

Contact SSA to secure financial payment for an eligible minor child whose deceased parent has paid taxes into the Social Security system.

Call: 1-800-772-1213

Visit:

Social Security Office-Harford County

3435A Box Hill

Corporate Center Dr.

Abingdon, MD 21009

800—772-1213

Hours: M, T, Th, F 9am-4 pm

W 9 am- Noon

Can I get assistance for Child Care expenses?

Child Care Subisidy Program (CCS)

Eligibility: Income Based

The purpose of theChild Care Subsidy (CCS) Program is to provide financial assistance with child care costs to eligible working families. TheCCS Program issues vouchers to eligible families in need of help with the cost of child care. To receive this assistance, families must meet certain requirements. In addition to help with the cost of child care, families can receive help locating a licensed child care provider.

Requirements:

The applicant must be:

A Maryland resident who is working, in an approved training program, or in public school.
A recipient of Temporary Cash Assistance or Supplemental Security Income or withinCCS income guidelines.
Willing to have your child immunized by Maryland State standards.
Pursuing child support.

Applications Available Online:

Documents Needed:

Proof of identity for all household members includes, but is not limited to, a valid unexpired United States passport, a birth certificate, a valid driver's license or a current photo identification card.
Proof of address (apartment or house lease; electric, gas, water or phone bill)
Proof of income (most recent 4 weeks of pay stubs or a letter from the employer stating gross salary)
If you are a student, proof ofenrollment
Proof that your child(ren) has met the Maryland State Immunization requirement.
If you are a single parent,proof that you have met child support requirements by reporting information about the absent parent.

For more information:

Or call: 866-243-8796

For childcare referrals: Maryland Family Network

Or Call: 877.261.0060

Is there Healthcare Assistance for the child(ren)?

Check with your healthcare insurance provider if there is coverage for your child(ren).

Contact Maryland Healthcare Connection to inquire about the following programs and eligibility:

Maryland Children’s Health ProgramMaryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP) provides free health care to eligible pregnant women and children with low to average incomes.

Maryland Children’s Health Premium ProgramMaryland Children’s Health Premium Program provides health care to eligible children at a low monthly premium for allmiddle-income families with no health insurance.

Medical Assistance for Families will provide comprehensive health care to parents and other family members caring for children. Eligibility depends on family size and income.

All three programs cover in-patient hospital care, medical doctor visits, mental health services, lab tests, dental and vision care (for children and pregnant woman), medications and immunizations.

For questions regarding Medicaid benefits and services call: 410-273-5626

HowdoIapply?

On-Line at

In person at the Harford County Health Department Bel Air location.*

*Navigators are available for child only Medical Assistance applications.

By Calling410-838-1500 (Bel Air) or 410-612-1779 (Woodbridge).

Locations and Hours of Operation For Assistance

**Bel Air**
Harford County Health Department – / Hours
120 S. Hays St. / M-F 8 am -4 pm
Bel Air, MD 21014 / Phone: 410-838-1500

FAQs

Can I apply for food stamps and/or day care subsidies at the same time as medical assistance?Yes, you can apply for medical assistance and social services together at the Department of Social Services at 2 S Bond Street, Bel Air MD 21014.

If I’m eligible how do I get care? You can call the Health Department’s Administrative Care Coordination Unit at 410-838-1500, they can assist you with: MCO Enrollment; understanding managed care health benefits; general questions about the Maryland Children’s Health Program; Accessing other Health Department programs, such as pregnancy testing and mental health

Establish Physical, Dental and Mental Health of Child:

Request Medical Records from Parents or Physician
Seek Mental Health Evaluation for Child: ‘trauma-informed” therapy

Where can I go to get the child(ren) immunizations/vaccinations/shots/physicals?

Consult with your child(ren)’s primary care doctor
Harford County Health Department @ Woodbridge 410-612-1779

MEDICAL SERVICES

Children’s Medical Services, also called CMS, is a program of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH). CMS can help low-income, uninsured or underinsured Marylanders ages 0-21 years get specialty care for a chronic illness or disability by paying for needed services. Harford County Health Department staff can assist with completing applications. Please call 410-273-5626 for further information.

Immunizations

Immunization clinics are held each Tuesday at Harford County Health Department’s Edgewood site — 1321 Woodbridge Station Way, Edgewood, MD 21040.

Hours: first and second Tuesday of the month, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

thirdand fourth Tuesday of the month, 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Appointments are required. Please call 410-612-1774 to schedule an appointment. Bring your child’s immunization record with you so we can determine which vaccines are needed.

Immunizations are offered through the Vaccine for Children (VFC) program to uninsured or underinsured children, ages 2 months to 18 years. The vaccines offered are: Rotovirus, DTAP, IPV, Hepatitis B, Hib, Prevnar, Hepatitis A, MMR, Varicella, HPV, Meningitis, Tdap, and Td.

Children not covered by insurance can receive the meningitis (Menactra) vaccine at cost. We do not bill insurance, but a receipt will be issued, which you may submit to your insurance company. Payment by cash, check, or charge.

There is a $23 administration fee per vaccine for each child and any adult receiving any vaccine. As per Maryland law, Medical Assistance clients will not be charged this fee with proof of Medical Assistance coverage (ie., showing their MA card at registration).

School Health Readiness Program

Provides health care, mental health care, and preventive services to students who may lack access to health care.Two nurse practitioners and two social workers currentlyservice the following schools each week:

Edgewood Elementary School,
Hall’s Cross Roads Elementary School
Magnolia Elementary School
William Paca/Old Post Road Elementary School.School Health Readiness Program

Services provided by the Nurse Practitioners:

Examine, diagnose, and prescribe medication for problems such as ear, sinus, or throat infections, asthma, rashes, etc.

Well child services and intermittent acute primary care

Preliminary physical examinations

Nutritional services

Injury evaluation

Referral services

Consultations for ADHD concerns

Liaison with the primary care providers

Family education

Chronic care

Asthma education to parents and students through the Open Airways Program

Vision and hearing screenings

Lead testing

Hygiene education

Services provided by the Social Workers:

Individual, group, and family therapy

Referral to community services

Consultation with school personnel

Occasional home visits

Attendance at IEP (Individual Education Plan) meetings, as necessary

Crisis intervention

Mental Health education services are provided to parents on a private basis by the Social Worker

Eligibility:

Any student or younger sibling is eligible to utilize the School Health Readiness Program with parental consent. Consent forms are sent home at the beginning of the school year and are carried over from year to year.

Referral Process:

School Nurse to Nurse Practitioner, if the student has a signed consent on file
Guidance Counselor to Social Worker
Caregiver- may contact school nurse, the guidance counselor, or the Program Coordinator for appointments.

Fee: No one is denied services due to their inability to pay. The Program acceptsboth Medical Assistance and Private Insurances (exclusive of HMOs). Private pay clients’ fees are based upon family income levels and family size.

Dental Care

Harford County Health Department Dental Clinic

Eligibility: Children ages 1 -20 enrolled in the Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP)

Hygiene Services include: X-Rays, Cleanings, Sealants, Fluoride Treatment, Home Oral Health Care Instructions, Nutrition Education

Dental Services include: Restorations (Fillings), Extractions, Root Canals, Crowns, Space Maintainers for Missing Primary (Baby) Teeth, Referrals for Speciality Care When Deemed Necessary

The clinic is also committed to treating same-day dental emergencies involving infection and trauma.

Location:

2204 Hanson Road

Edgewood, MD

(across from the Edgewood Library)

Hours: Monday through Friday ,8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Appointments: 443-922-7670.

MENTAL HEALTH CARE

Are you struggling with mental health problems but cannot afford to get care? Help is a phone call away.

If you are caring for a child with a mental health, behavioral or education issue, a developmental disability or involvement with the juvenile justice system, you may need Family Navigator services. Any parent or caregiver can call a Family Navigator to request assistance for their child, age 0-21 years, with special needs.

Examples of services and resources that Family Navigators can help you identify:

Child care resources
Parent support groups
Parent education/leadership training
Special education advocacy
Mental Health services
In-home behavioral support
Evaluation and assessment services

Maryland Coalition of Families for Children’s Mental Health

Local Office:

Central Office: 10632 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Suite 119, Columbia, MD 21044

Phone: 1-888-607-3637

Website:

Email:

Additional Resources Available upon Request

Child Development Services

Infant & Toddler (Infants –age 3) 410 638-3823

The Harford County Infants and Toddlers program provides early intervention services to children, ages 1 -5, who have delays in development or who are at risk for developmental delay. Services are provided at no cost to children living in Harford County. Participating public agency partners includeHarford County Health Department,Harford County Public Schools, andHarford County Department of Social Services.