Relative Caregiver Program Case Management Services

The Vendor is required to provide relative caregiver program (RCP) case management services.
- Provide capacity, experience, and infrastructure necessary to deliver comprehensive support services to relative caregivers who have assumed care of children outside of formal foster care.
- The Relative Caregiver Program is designed to stabilize relative caregiver households, promote child safety and well-being, and support permanency by providing case management, assessments, service planning, caregiver support, and administration of the RCP Stipend for eligible families.
- Relative caregivers often assume custody during periods of crisis, frequently without adequate resources, formal training, or access to coordinated services.
- Without structured support, these placements may be at risk of disruption, resulting in adverse outcomes for children and increased likelihood of entry into state custody.
- Relative Caregiver Participation Requirements.
• Participate in needs assessments, safety assessments, and service planning.
• Participate in ongoing RCP support services at the level required by the Individualized Service Plan.
• Provide a safe and stable home and demonstrate long-term commitment.
• Allow home visits, assessments, and monitoring by the Provider and Department.
• Report safety, custody, and household changes within required timeframes.
• Maintain compliance with all RCP program expectations.
- Client Intake, Assessment & Service Planning.
• Accept referrals from caregivers, community partners, Department, and Juvenile Courts, with priority to Department and Juvenile Court referrals.
• Conduct intake, safety assessment, and needs assessment, quarterly reassessments, and annual Redeterminations.
• Collaborate with caregivers, Department, and other partners to develop an Individualized Service Plan.
• Accept all families eligible for services, regardless of stipend availability.
• Follow RCP Provider Manual timelines and documentation requirements.
• Make referrals for families who are ineligible or who need supplemental services.
• Participate in Department monitoring, Quality Assurance reviews, and case file audits.
- Financial Aid Non-Stipend Support
• Request approval for financial assistance from Department Kinship Leadership Specialists using written documentation.
• Ensure no duplication with community resources before providing financial aid.
• Maintain and update a community resource inventory.
• Document all expenditures in case files.
• Ensure financial aid promotes stability, permanency, and well-being.
- RCP Stipend.
• Conduct and submit preliminary and ongoing eligibility verification.
• Maintain a standardized, first-come, first-served stipend waitlist following statewide Department protocol.
• Document tie-breakers, multiple-child households, and regional prioritization per protocol.
• Gather and submit all required documentation to Department Kinship Specialists on a monthly basis.
• Submit quarterly reassessments and annual redeterminations.
• Immediately notify Department of any change affecting eligibility or participation.