Kinship caregivers may use either of the following:

• A licensed child care facility or registered child care home that is contracted through the local child care service (CCS) agency, both designated and non-designated.
• Self-arranged child day care.

CCS Contracted Care

The provider must be a licensed child care facility or a registered child care home.

See 8235.22 When a Child Care Provider’s Licensing Status Changes.

Self-Arranged Care

Approved kinship caregivers may also choose to use self-arranged care.

The provider of self-arranged care must be a licensed child care facility or a registered child care home. The provider must not be on probationary status or adverse action.

If kinship caregivers choose self-arranged child day care, they must contact the child’s caseworker or the kinship development worker to ensure that the care is authorized by DFPS and will be paid.

The self-arranged provider must contract with the CCS agency to be paid for services.

See 8235.22 When a Child Care Provider’s Licensing Status Changes.

If the day care will be authorized and paid, the caseworker follows the procedures in 8235.54 Initiating, Authorizing, Reauthorizing, and Terminating Services.