Guardians do not have to be relatives. The department operates a subsidized guardianship program through its federal IV-E waiver demonstration project. The program istime-limited and scheduled to end in June 2002. The program was created in 1984. A subsidy is available whenever it appears that a family is available for a child in custody but financial constraints would prohibit guardianship.
Family income is considered.
The program is funded entirely with state funds. Some regions are currently not funding guardianship subsidies because of budget shortfalls. Unlicensed relatives who are guardians may receive non-needy public assistance. The Legal Guardianship program was established in July of 1999. It is a program to establish permanency for children who are in the temporary or permanent custody of the department, who are 11 years old or older, for whom adoption in not the best choice, and who have formed a significant attachment with their caretaker.