(A) When the Department of Social Services has custody of a child and places that child with a relative who is licensed to provide foster care, the agency must provide the same services and financial benefits as provided to other licensed foster homes. Children placed pursuant to this section are subject to the permanency planning requirements in Section 63-7-1700.

(B) If the department has determined that it is in the best interest of a child requiring foster care that the child be placed with a relative, and the relative is not licensed to provide foster care, or if a relative advises the department that the relative is interested in providing placement for a child requiring foster care, and the relative is not licensed to provide foster care, the department shall inform the relative of the procedures for obtaining licensure and the benefits of licensure, including eligibility for financial assistance and supportive services, and the risk that the relative may be ineligible for that assistance and services if the relative is not licensed as a foster parent. The department also shall provide information and reasonable assistance to a relative seeking a foster care license to the same extent that it provides this information and assistance to other persons contacting the department about foster care licensing.

HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 361, Section 2; 2018 Act No. 146 (H.3701), Section 4, eff April 4, 2018.

Effect of Amendment

2018 Act No. 146, Section 4, in (B), in the first sentence, inserted "and the relative is not licensed to provide foster care," preceding "the department shall inform the relative" and added ", including eligibility for financial assistance and supportive services, and the risk that the relative may be ineligible for that assistance and services if the relative is not licensed as a foster parent" at the end.