Raising someone else’s child
Stepping up to raise a relative or close friend's child (kinship caregiving) is a powerful act of love, but taking on parenting responsibilities—often on short notice—comes with unique challenges. In Utah, thousands of grandfamilies and relative caregivers provide safe, loving homes when parents are unable. While keeping children connected to family is deeply rewarding, managing sudden legal, financial, and emotional hurdles can feel overwhelming. Use the curated resources below to access legal assistance, state financial grants, crisis intervention, and peer support networks built specifically for kinship families.
Key things caregivers need to know
1. Formal vs. informal caregiving changes your legal rights.
Legal status matters: Raising a friend or relative's child informally (without court involvement) limits your ability to enroll the child in school, consent to medical treatment, or access certain benefits.
Options to explore: Investigate options like legal guardianship, power of attorney, foster care licensing, or legal custody depending on whether child welfare is involved.
2. Financial and public benefits are available.
You do not have to pay for everything out-of-pocket: Kinship caregivers are often eligible for financial aid, including:
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) "Child-Only" Grants: Monthly assistance based on the child's income, not the caregiver's income.
- Specified Relative Program: Assistance designed for grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, or other relative caregivers raising a child.
- Medicaid/Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP): Medical coverage specifically for the child.
- Foster care subsidies & guardianship assistance: Financial support available if the placement occurred through the formal child welfare system.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) & Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Nutrition assistance programs.
3. Managing shifting family dynamics and boundaries.
Role transitions: Moving from "grandparent/aunt" to "primary disciplinarian and provider" requires an adjustment period for both you and the child.
Boundary setting with birth parents: Clear, safe, and realistic boundaries regarding visits, phone calls, and expectations are crucial for maintaining stability and protecting the child.
4. Children bring unique emotional and trauma needs.
Trauma-informed care: Children entering kinship care often carry grief, confusion, or trauma from separation. Co-regulation, predictable routines, patience, and access to school counseling or play therapy are vital for emotional healing.
5. Caregiver self-care and peer support are essential.
Preventing burnout: Caregiving can lead to financial strain and physical exhaustion. Connecting with local support groups or kinship networks reduces isolation and offers practical advice from peers who share similar experiences.
What you are doing right now is extraordinary. Stepping up to provide stability, safety, and love during a family crisis takes immense courage. Even on the days when it feels overwhelming or uncertain, please remember that your presence is giving this child a secure foundation and a safe place to land. You are making a life-changing difference, and you are doing a wonderful job.
How do I secure legal guardianship, custody, or navigate family law?
When you step in to raise a child, having clear legal rights is essential for enrollment in school, medical care, and daily decisions. Connect with these local legal services and clinics to get step-by-step help with the family court system.
Utah Legal Services: Free legal aid for qualifying low-income kinship caregivers seeking help with guardianship, custody, and family law issues.
Timpanogos Legal Center: Community legal assistance and clinics helping relative caregivers navigate court processes and protective orders.
Office of Recovery Services: Guidance on child support enforcement and financial recovery services when caring for a relative's child.
Child Welfare Information Gateway: Offers tools and information on legal options, state policies, and child welfare systems for relatives caring for children.
How do I afford food, healthcare, and daily essentials for the child I support?
Taking in a relative's child often happens without warning, and managing extra household costs can create sudden financial pressure. Explore these state benefit programs and emergency assistance resources designed to help you cover food, medical care, childcare, and daily living expenses.
Utah Department of Workforce Services: Access state support, including the Specified Relative Grant (SRG), SNAP (food assistance), Medicaid/CHIP enrollment, and childcare subsidies tailored for kinship families.
211 Utah: Free, confidential, statewide information and referral service that helps with finding support for basic needs, including housing and utility assistance, food pantries, healthcare, mental health support, legal aid, transportation, and disaster relief.
Where can I find crisis help, support groups, and community programs?
No one understands the journey of a kinship caregiver quite like someone who has been there. Use these resources to join local peer networks, access crisis intervention, and find community programs tailored for relative caregivers.
Children's Service Society of Utah's GRANDfamilies Program: Crisis intervention, support groups, parenting classes, and educational advocacy to help keep kinship children safe and stable.
GRANDfamilies locations: For in-person support, find an office near you via the link above. Or call 801-326-4409 for support over the phone.
National Institute on Aging's Grandfamilies and Kinship Families website: Practical advice, health tips, and official resources to help relatives safely navigate the physical, emotional, and financial challenges of raising a child.
Children's Service Society's GRANDfamilies Program was the first program in the country to receive the Exemplary Program designation through the Grandfamilies and Kinship Support Network.