Kinship Care
Kinship Care Support Services encompass a wide variety of activities at GCCS.

Angela Grywalsky, BA, LSW,  is available to answer any of your questions related to relatives, and kin caring for and raising children.

Please call her at:

740-439-5555, Ext. 239




Guernsey County Children Services
Safety, Protection, and Permanency











Angela Grywalsky, BA, LSW
Kinship Coordinator

What is Kinship Care?

Kinship Care is when a relative or non-relative has taken over the
full-time care, nurturing and protection of a child. The definition
for kinship caregivers also goes beyond the scope of blood relatives
and may include an adult who has a familiar relationship/bond
with the child and/or family.

Guernsey County Children Services coordinates several programs that provide support and resources for kinship families. Also visit Grandparents.com for advice and tools for kinship care.



"Click Here"
To view the current
Kinship Monthly Newsletter



Are you a grandparent who is caring for a grandchild in Ohio but cannot make vital decisions because you don't have legal custody?

What Does the Kinship Coordinator Do?

One role of our Kinship Coordinator is to work with the casework staff to identify potential caregivers from the names provided by the family and service team. The process for selecting a potential caregiver is as follows:

• Contacting potential caregiver(s);

• Scheduling a home visit with potential caregiver(s);

• Completion of a home study;

• Police/Sheriff checks of all adults that reside in the potential caregiver(s) residence;

• Scheduling for fingerprinting for all adults that reside in the home;

• Explanation of the agency’s Kinship Care program/services;

Guernsey County Children Services Kinship Care program also sometimes provides supportive services to eligible kinship families at case closure.


A new Ohio law may allow you to make decisions without requiring a custody order through the court system.

Click here for more information
KINSHIP CARE SERVICES
The purpose of the Kinship Care program is to provide support services to those extended family members who accept the charge of caregiver.

The goal is to provide needed support to:

• Help strengthen the home that has taken on new and challenging family dynamics as a Kinship Care provider

• Avoid disruption and the return to open case services and/or placement


KINSHIP
VOLUNTEERS
CALL
ANGELA GRYWALSKY
740.439.5555
"Click Here"
Kinship Caregivers
Resource Information

Kinship Permanency Incentive Program
(KPI)

Did a court award you custody
of a child after July 1, 2005?

If so, your family may be eligible for financial support
through Guernsey County Children Services.
  In order to qualify you must:

  • Have an approved home study completed by Children Services.
  • Must be at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines.
  • Had to have legal custody or legal guardianship awarded after July 1, 2005.

    "Click here" for more information or contact Angela Grywalsky at 740.439.5555