Provides a definition of “short-term support” under the temporary pandemic flexibilities of Division X for Title IV-E agencies participating in the Title IV-E kinship navigator program. On August 6, 2021,the Children’s Bureau issued guidance clarifying that short-term direct assistance to kinship families through the Title IV-E flexible funding opportunity for kinship navigators should be limited to no more than four months, and should mirror TANF’s short term assistance. We are disappointed in this guidance as 4 months does not adequately address the needs the COVID-19 pandemic has created, which was the very purpose of this funding opportunity.
We continue to encourage those states that have not accessed the flexible funding opportunity to consider applying as other very important kinship navigator services and supports, evaluation, and administrative costs can be reimbursed in full dating back to April 1, 2020 and through September 2021. See below for application materials.
As of July, the Children’s Bureau had approved applications for this flexible funding from 15 states and 1 tribe: Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia and Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe. Four states and 1 Tribe were pending review: California, Connecticut, Colorado, Montana, and the Tolowa Nation. Four additional states were planning to apply: Delaware, Maryland, Oregon, and Washington.