Illinois KIND Act makes relatives eligible for DCFS benefits for child care
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois is loosening standards to make grandparents and other relatives eligible to receive benefits for caring for children in the care of the Department of Children and Family Standards under a new law.
The Kinship in Demand (KIND) Act, signed into law Wednesday by Gov. JB Pritzker, updates DCFS requirements to enable relatives to receive the same benefits as licensed foster caregivers.
According to the governor's office, 9,300 Illinois children are living with relatives instead of their birth parents.
The KIND Act allows for increased financial support for relative caregivers.
'The KIND Act enhances family finding efforts to ensure we are doing everything we can to identify relatives who can care for and maintain ongoing, supportive connections with our youth. Just as importantly, it holds us accountable to incorporate the voices of youth and families in decisions that have a lasting impact on their lives,' said Pritzker.
The KIND Act calls for DCFS to develop more flexible standards for its licensing program, which was designed for foster parents who may be unfamiliar to the child.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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