Tennessee law provides stipends for relatives caring for children to reduce state custody placements
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — More relatives of children needing homes have the chance to keep them out of foster care and under their own roofs, thanks to a new state law that removed the income cap to qualify for reimbursement from the state.
The relative caregiver stipend program, which launched in 2023, issues reimbursements to qualifying relatives, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, etc., who take custody of their family members who cannot be cared for by their biological parents.
Experts recognize a child benefits much more from being raised by a relative, but it often isn’t feasible for the relative caregiver.