Opinion ID: 2653451
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Kinship guardianship assistance agreement.

Text: (A) In general. In order to receive payments under section 474(a)(5) [42 USCS § 674(a)(5)], a State shall--
kinship guardianship assistance agreement with the prospective relative guardian of a child who meets the requirements of this paragraph; and (ii) provide the prospective relative guardian with a copy of the agreement. (B) Minimum requirements. The agreement shall specify, at a minimum-- (i) the amount of, and manner in which, each kinship guardianship assistance payment will be provided under the agreement, and the manner in which the payment may be adjusted periodically, in consultation with the relative guardian, based on the circumstances of the relative guardian and the needs of the child;
the child and relative guardian will be eligible for under the agreement; (iii) the procedure by which the relative guardian may apply for additional services as needed; and (continued...) 27  FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST’S HAWAI #I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER  6 (...continued) (iv) subject to subparagraph (D), that the State will pay the total cost of nonrecurring expenses associated with obtaining legal guardianship of the child, to the extent the total cost does not exceed $ 2,000. (C) Interstate applicability. The agreement shall provide that the agreement shall remain in effect without regard to the State residency of the relative guardian. (D) No effect on Federal reimbursement. Nothing in subparagraph (B)(iv) shall be construed as affecting the ability of the State to obtain reimbursement from the Federal Government for costs described in that subparagraph. (2) Limitations on amount of kinship guardianship assistance payment. A kinship guardianship assistance payment on behalf of a child shall not exceed the foster care maintenance payment which would have been paid on behalf of the child if the child had remained in a foster family home. (3) Child’s eligibility for a kinship guardianship assistance payment. (A) In general. A child is eligible for a kinship guardianship assistance payment under this subsection if the State agency determines the following: (i) The child has been-- (I) removed from his or her home pursuant to a voluntary placement agreement or as a result of a judicial determination to the effect that continuation in the home would be contrary to the welfare of the child; and (II) eligible for foster care maintenance payments under section 472 [42 USCS § 672] while residing for at least 6 consecutive months in the home of the prospective relative guardian. (ii) Being returned home or adopted are not appropriate permanency options for the child. (iii) The child demonstrates a strong attachment to the prospective relative guardian and the relative guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child. (iv) With respect to a child who has attained 14 years of age, the child has been consulted regarding the kinship guardianship arrangement. (B) Treatment of siblings. With respect to a child described in subparagraph (A) whose sibling or siblings are not so described-- (i) the child and any sibling of the child may be placed in the same kinship guardianship arrangement, in accordance with section 471(a)(31) [42 USCS § 671(a)(31)], (continued...) 28  FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST’S HAWAI #I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER  U.S.C. § 675(1)(E) (2011) envisions permanent placements with persons other than relatives, with placement decisions explained in the child’s case plan.7 In the case of a child permanently placed with relatives, 42 U.S.C. § 675(1)(F) (2011) requires a written case plan describing the rationale behind the child’s placement as well.8 None of these federal statutory provisions 6 (...continued) if the State agency and the relative agree on the appropriateness of the arrangement for the siblings; and (ii) kinship guardianship assistance payments may be paid on behalf of each sibling so placed. 7 42 U.S.C. § 675(1)(E) reads in full as follows (with emphasis added): (1) The term “case plan” means a written document which includes at least the following: . . . (E) In the case of a child with respect to whom the permanency plan is adoption or placement in another permanent home, documentation of the steps the agency is taking to find an adoptive family or other permanent living arrangement for the child, to place the child with an adoptive family, a fit and willing relative, a legal guardian, or in another planned permanent living arrangement, and to finalize the adoption or legal guardianship. At a minimum, such documentation shall include child specific recruitment efforts such as the use of State, regional, and national adoption exchanges including electronic exchange systems to facilitate orderly and timely in-State and interstate placements. 8 42 U.S.C. § 675(1)(F) reads in full as follows: (1) The term “case plan” means a written document which includes at least the following: . . . (F) In the case of a child with respect to whom the permanency plan is placement with a relative and receipt of kinship guardianship assistance payments under section 473(d) [42 USCS § 673(d)], a description of-- (i) the steps that the agency has taken to determine that it is not appropriate for the child to be returned home or adopted; (ii) the reasons for any separation of siblings during placement;
fit and willing relative through a kinship guardianship assistance arrangement is in the child’s best interests; (continued...) 29  FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST’S HAWAI #I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER  reflects a relative placement preference. DHS overstates the impact of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, which amended each of the foregoing sections. Third, the regulations implementing Title IV-E do not show that Title IV-E funds are conditioned upon relative placement. It is true that 45 C.F.R. § 1355.34(b)(ii)(B) (2012) provides the following: “(b) Criteria related to outcomes. . . . (ii) In the area of permanency for children: . . . (B) The continuity of family relationships and connections is preserved for children. . . .” This language encourages continuous family relationships but does not mandate relative placement. Moreover, 45 C.F.R. § 1355.25 provides, with emphasis added: The following principles, most often identified by practitioners and others as helping to assure effective services for children, youth, and families, should guide the States . . . in developing, operating, and improving the continuum of child and family services. (a) The safety and well-being of children and of all family members is paramount. 8 (...continued)
eligibility requirements for a kinship guardianship assistance payment;
adoption by the child’s relative foster parent as a more permanent alternative to legal guardianship and, in the case of a relative foster parent who has chosen not to pursue adoption, documentation of the reasons therefor; and
discuss with the child’s parent or parents the kinship guardianship assistance arrangement, or the reasons why the efforts were not made. 30  FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST’S HAWAI #I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER  Thus, like Hawaii’s CPA, Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, along with its implementing regulations, encourages relative placements but considers the child’s safety to be an overriding concern. Lastly, even Title IV-E recognizes the authority of State courts over protected children under their jurisdiction. 42 U.S.C. § 678 states, “Nothing in this part [42 USCS §§ 670 et seq.] shall be construed as precluding State courts from exercising their discretion to protect the health and safety of children in individual cases. . . .” In sum, there is no federal relative placement preference that DHS was compelled to carry out under Congress’s spending power.