Kinship Care Florida: What Relatives Need to Know About Licensing and Support

When a child is removed from their parents' home in Florida, the state's first obligation is to find a placement with a relative or someone who already has a meaningful bond with the child. That sounds simple. In practice, many grandparents, aunts, uncles, and adult siblings find themselves suddenly caring for a child they love deeply — and completely unprepared for the paperwork, financial realities, and legal distinctions that determine what support they can access.

The central question for most kinship caregivers in Florida is whether to pursue a formal foster care license. The answer matters because it determines whether you receive financial support, how long you can keep the child, and what legal options are available to you.

The Two Pathways for Kinship Caregivers in Florida

When DCF places a child with a relative or fictive kin (a non-blood relative with an established relationship), the relative has two broad options:

1. Unlicensed relative placement. DCF can place a child with a relative immediately, before any licensing occurs, if the placement is safe and in the child's best interest. In an emergency sheltering situation, this can happen within hours. An unlicensed placement does not by itself provide foster-care board payments, but the caregiver may qualify for separate assistance through Florida's Relative Caregiver Program. Ask DCF or the CBC agency which support applies. The child's case plan moves forward, but the caregiver does not have the same status as a licensed foster-care partner.

2. Level I foster care licensure. A relative or fictive kin caring for a specific child already known to them can pursue a Level I foster care license under Florida's tiered licensing system. This pathway is designed to expedite placement compared with the standard Level II (community foster parent) process, with certain non-safety requirements waivable. Once licensed at Level I, the caregiver receives the same monthly board payments as any licensed foster parent.

Why Licensing Matters

Unlicensed relative placements are legally fragile in ways that many kinship caregivers do not fully appreciate until a crisis emerges. The most significant implications:

Foster-care board payments require licensure. The monthly room-and-board stipend — $602.75 per month for children from birth through age 5, $618.19 for ages 6 to 12, and $723.58 for ages 13 to 21 as of 2026 — is the licensed foster-care payment. An unlicensed relative may instead qualify for separate Relative Caregiver Program assistance, so confirm eligibility and payment type with DCF or the CBC agency. The child retains Medicaid coverage while in care.

Limited voice in case proceedings. Licensed foster parents have specific rights under Florida Statute §39.0139 (the Foster Parent Bill of Rights) that include the right to be notified of and attend court hearings, the right to receive information about the child's history, and the right to provide input to the court. Unlicensed relatives have fewer formal protections in the dependency court process.

Placement uncertainty. An unlicensed placement does not create the same licensed-foster-parent status or support arrangement. Ask the CBC agency how licensing affects your participation, support, and placement decisions in the specific case.

The Level I Licensing Process

Level I child-specific licensure is designed to be faster than Level II. The key differences:

• Certain non-safety requirements can be waived under the Level I process; ask the lead agency which requirements can be waived in your case
• The Unified Home Study still occurs, but the clinical assessment is adapted for the existing relationship between the caregiver and child
• Level 2 background screening is still required for all household members age 12 and older — there are no exceptions to this
• Safety requirements under Rule 65C-45 still apply, including fire safety, medication storage, and pool barriers

The process still flows through the CBC lead agency in the caregiver's county. The first step is contacting the lead agency, explaining that the child has already been placed or is at imminent risk of placement with you, and asking specifically about Level I child-specific licensure.

Financial Support Available to Licensed Kinship Caregivers

Once licensed at Level I, kinship caregivers receive the full range of financial supports available to any Florida foster parent:

Monthly board payments at the standard room-and-board rates based on the child's age.

Medicaid coverage through Florida's foster care Medicaid program (Sunshine Health or equivalent managed care organization), covering medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health services.

Clothing allowance. Most CBC agencies provide a clothing stipend at initial placement — typically around $200 — which can often be requested annually.

Childcare subsidy. Working kinship caregivers with younger children may be eligible for a childcare subsidy through the Early Learning Coalition to cover daycare or after-school programs; confirm current eligibility with the coalition.

Supplemental payment for teens. Youth ages 13 to 17 have an additional $72.36 per month included in the board payment to support normalcy activities and independent living skill development.

The Kinship Navigator Program

Florida's CBC agencies typically offer Kinship Navigator services — a dedicated case support role for relatives who have taken in children, whether licensed or unlicensed. The Kinship Navigator can help you understand your rights, connect you with community resources, and advocate for needed services for the child.

If you are caring for a relative's child and do not have a specific kinship navigator assigned to your case, ask your CBC lead agency directly. This service is separate from the child's assigned case manager.

Kinship Guardianship as an Alternative to Adoption

For kinship caregivers who want a permanent legal relationship with the child without terminating the biological parents' rights, Florida offers permanent guardianship under Florida Statute §39.6221. Eligible arrangements may qualify for the Guardianship Assistance Program under §39.6225; ask DCF or the CBC agency about eligibility and current payment terms. The arrangement is court-ordered and gives the guardian authority to care for the child, subject to the court order.

Permanent guardianship is distinct from adoption — the biological parents' parental rights are not terminated, and the court order can address contact with biological family. Some kinship caregivers prefer this arrangement because it honors the child's identity and family history while providing legal stability.

Navigating Florida's kinship care options — including whether to pursue Level I licensure, what it takes to pass the home inspection, and how to apply for the relevant financial supports — is exactly what the Florida Foster Care Licensing Guide covers for kinship and traditional foster parents alike.

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