This Procedure Letter provides guidance related to the Title IV-E Kinship Support Intervention (KSI) Navigator Program pilot.

BACKGROUND

During the ProtectOHIO waiver demonstration project the Kinship Support Intervention was one of the two core interventions the ProtectOHIO counties utilized to reduce paid placement days and provide additional supports to kinship caregivers for the benefits of the child(ren) in their home.  The intervention demonstrated positive outcomes for children; placement stability, reduction in time to permanency, and benefits to kinship caregivers in feeling better supported in their care of the child(ren) in their home.

The mission of the kinship supports intervention was to promote kinship placement as best practice, increasing attention to and support for kinship placements, caregivers, and families. KSI assisted kinship caregivers of children involved with a Public Children Services Agency (PCSA) regardless of custody status or supervision orders to provide resources to facilitate children having a safe and stable living environment that meets the children’s physical, emotional, financial, and basic needs.

KSI has been approved and rated by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse as the first kinship navigator program in the nation.  We are welcoming this opportunity to implement the KSI program again.  The Office of Families and Children is starting implementation through a pilot beginning October 1, 2022. The pilot KSI navigator program will only be available to former ProtectOHIO counties that were part of implementing KSI during the Title IV-E waiver demonstration project which ended in September 2019.

GUIDANCE

This procedure letter provides guidance to PCSAs about which counties may be eligible to participate in the pilot.  In addition, attachment A provides program guidance pilot agencies will utilize during the pilot period. 

INSTRUCTION

The following chart shows what materials should be inserted into the Family, Children and Adult Services Manual (FCASM).