Support Childcare Subsidies for Guardians and Relative Caretakers in North Carolina

Historically, State Government has subsidized child care for children in the care of guardians and relative caretakers. Effective January 1, 2015, a new policy became effective which requires the income of guardians and relative caretakers to be used in determining eligibility for this funding for children ages 6-12.

This law should be rescinded as it is counterproductive to existing policies which are in place to assist relative caregivers/legal guardians in defraying the costs of care for the children taken into their homes. In the long run, relatives will be reluctant to take children into their homes because they will not be able to afford to pay for child care. This is counterproductive to principles and goals of the NC Foster Care/Child Protective Agencies which strive to reunite children with their biological parents or with relatives if this is not in the best interest of the children.

Taxpayers will pay more to have these children in foster care (a stipend is paid to a foster parent and childcare is paid for as well). Once in Foster Care, the prospects for faring well are also diminished for the children. Some states provide kinship support for children living with relatives; however, North Carolina does not provide this needed support. Loss of child care subsidy for before/after school care will only increase the burden of trying to keep a relative out of foster care.