,,ii #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #affj ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,may #bc 7legislative day1 ,may #bb71 #bjai,mr4 ,casey 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,brown1 ,ms4 ,baldwin1 ,ms4 ,hassan1 and ,mrs4 ,gillibrand7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,finance ,a ,,bill ,to provide greater support for grandfamilies and older caretaker relatives4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,grandfamilies ,act of #bjai4 #b4 ,increasing access to ,social ,security benefits for children who live with grandparents or other family members 7a7 ,in general ,title ,,ii of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dja et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 in section #bjb7;d7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a77;,c71 by inserting except as provided in paragraph 7#i71 before was dependent2 and 7,b7 by amending paragraph 7#i7 to read as follows3 7#i7 7,a7 ,in the case of a child who is the child of an individual under clause 7#c7 of the first sentence of section #baf7;e7 and is not a child of such individual under clause 7#a7 or 7#b7 of such first sentence1 the criteria specified in subparagraph 7,b7 shall apply instead of the criteria specified in subparagraph 7,c7 of paragraph 7#a74 7,b7 ,the criteria of this subparagraph are that-- 7i7 the child has been living with such individual in the ,united ,states for a period of not less than #ab months2 7ii7 the child has been receiving not less than of the child's support from such individual for a period of not less than #ab months2 and 7iii7 the period during which the child was living with such individual began before the child attained age #ah4 7,c7 ,in the case of a child who is less than #ab months old1 such child shall be deemed to meet the requirements of subparagraph 7,b7 if1 on the date the child attains #a year of age1 such child has lived with such individual in the ,united ,states and received at least of the child's support from such individual for substantially all of the period which began on the date of such child's birth4 2 and 7#b7 in section #baf7;e71 in the first sentence-- 7,a7 by striking grandchild or stepgrandchild of an individual or his spouse and inserting grandchild1 stepgrandchild1 or other first-degree1 second-degree1 third-degree1 fourth-degree1 or fifth-degree relative of an individual or the individual's spouse2 7,b7 by striking was no natural or adoptive parent and inserting is no living natural or adoptive parent2 7,c7 by striking was under a disability and inserting is under a disability2 7,d7 by striking living at the time and all that follows through 1 or 7,b7 and inserting 1 7,b72 and 7,e7 by inserting 1 or 7,c7 the person has been in the custody of such individual pursuant to a court order for a period of not less than #ab months before the first period4 7b7 ,conforming amendments ,section #bjb7;d77#a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #djb7;d77#a77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking subparagraphs 7,a71 7,b71 and 7,c7 and inserting subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 and subparagraph 7,c7 or paragraph 7#i7 7as applicable72 and 7#b7 by striking subparagraphs 7,b7 and 7,c7 and inserting subparagraph 7,b7 and subparagraph 7,c7 or paragraph 7#i7 7as applicable74 7c7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the first day of the first fiscal year that begins after the date of enactment of this ,act4 #c4 ,eliminating barriers to ,,tanf for children and older caretaker relatives 7a7 ,broadening good cause exception to requirement ,to provide information on noncustodial parents ,section #ded7bi77;,a77i7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fed7bi77;,a77i77 is amended by striking best interests of the child and inserting best interests of the child1 including1 if enforcement procedures against a non-custodial parent of the child are initiated1 whether such procedures will impede the parent's ability to reunify with the child in the future4 7b7 ,disregard of nonparent caretaker relative income1 assets1 and resources in child-,only cases 7#a7 ,in general ,section #djh7;a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjh7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#ac7 ,disregard of income1 assets1 and resources for nonparent caretaker relatives in child-only cases 7,a7 ,in general ,with respect to a minor child who does not reside in the same household as a parent of the child1 a ,state to which a grant is made under section #djc shall not take into account the income1 assets1 or resources of such child's nonparent caretaker relative who is not seeking assistance under the ,state program funded under this part or any other ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i77 on their own behalf in determining whether the child is eligible for assistance under any such program1 or in determining the amount or types of such assistance to be provided to the child4 7,b7 ,exception ,subparagraph 7,a7 shall not apply in the case of a ,state program-- 7i7 that is operated specifically for children living with nonparent caretaker relatives2 7ii7 that provides monthly financial assistance to a child living with a nonparent caretaker relative in an amount that is greater than the amount of assistance that the child would receive on the child's own behalf under the ,state program funded under this part2 7iii7 that is separate from the ,state program funded under this part2 and 7iv7 that is described in the ,state plan submitted under section #djb4 4 7#b7 ,penalty ,section #dji7;a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fji7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#ag7 ,penalty for failure to disregard income1 assets1 and resources of nonparent caretaker relative in child-only cases ,if the ,secretary determines that a ,state to which a grant is made under section #djc in a fiscal year has violated section #djh7;a77#ac7 during the fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall reduce the grant payable to the ,state under section #djc7;a77#a7 for the immediately succeeding fiscal year by an amount equal to #c percent of the ,state family assistance grant4 4 7c7 ,eliminating #e-,year cap on assistance in child-,only cases 7#a7 ,in general ,section #djh7;a77#g7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjh7;a77#g77 is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,h7 ,no limit for child-only cases ,a ,state shall not limit the number of months of assistance under the ,state program funded under this part or any other ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i77 for a family in which all adults in the family-- 7i7 are nonparent caretaker relatives of a child who does not reside in the same household of the parent of the child2 and 7ii7 do not receive assistance under the ,state program funded under this part or any other ,state program funded with qualified expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i77 on their own behalf4 4 7#b7 ,penalty ,section #dji7;a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fji7;a771 as previously amended by this section1 is amended-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#i71 by inserting 7other than subparagraph 7,h77 after section #djh7;a77#g72 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#ah7 ,penalty for failure to comply with #e-year cap exemptions ,if the ,secretary determines that a ,state to which a grant is made under section #djc in a fiscal year has violated subparagraph 7,h7 of section #djh7;a77#g7 during the fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall reduce the grant payable to the ,state under section #djc7;a77#a7 for the immediately succeeding fiscal year by an amount equal to #c percent of the ,state family assistance grant 4 7d7 ,exemption from work requirements for nonparent caretaker relatives in child-,only cases 7#a7 ,in general ,section #djh of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjh7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7h7 ,state required ,to exempt nonparent caretaker relatives from work participation in child-,only cases ,a ,state shall not require an individual to engage in work if the individual-- 7#a7 is the nonparent caretaker relative of a child who does not reside in the same household as a parent of the child2 and 7#b7 resides in a household in which no adult receives assistance under the ,state program funded under this part or any other ,state program funded with qualified expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i77 on their own behalf4 4 7#b7 ,penalty ,section #dji7;a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fji7;a771 as previously amended by this section1 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#ai7 ,penalty for failure to comply with work participation exemptions ,if the ,secretary determines that a ,state to which a grant is made under section #djc in a fiscal year has violated subsection 7h7 of section #djh during the fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall reduce the grant payable to the ,state under section #djc7;a77#a7 for the immediately succeeding fiscal year by an amount equal to #c percent of the ,state family assistance grant4 4 7e7 ,eliminating #e-,year cap on assistance for older caretaker relatives 7#a7 ,in general ,section #djh7;a77#g7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjh7;a77#g771 as amended by subsection 7c77#a71 is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,i7 ,non-application of limit to older caretaker relatives 7i7 ,no limit for older caretaker relatives ,subparagraph 7,a7 shall not apply and a ,state shall not limit the number of months of assistance under the ,state program funded under this part or any other ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i77 based on receipt of such assistance by an individual who is an older caretaker relative 7as defined for purposes of paragraph 7#ad774 7ii7 ,disregard of months of assistance ,in determining the number of months for which a family that includes an adult who has received assistance under the ,state program funded under this part or any other ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i771 the ,state shall disregard any month for which such assistance was provided with respect to the family during which such adult was an older caretaker relative 7as defined for purposes of paragraph 7#ad774 4 7#b7 ,penalty ,section #dji7;a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fji7;a771 as previously amended by this section1 is amended-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#i71 by inserting or 7,i7 after subparagraph 7,h72 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#ah71 by inserting or 7,i7 after subparagraph 7,h74 7f7 ,exemption from work requirements for older caretaker relatives 7#a7 ,in general ,section #djh of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjh71 by subsection 7d77#a71 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7i7 ,state required ,to exempt older caretaker relatives from work participation where caretaker receives assistance ,a ,state shall not require an individual to engage in work1 and1 at the option of the ,state and on a case-by-case basis1 may disregard such individual in determining the participation rates under section #djg7;a71 if the individual-- 7#a7 is an older caretaker relative 7as defined for purposes of subsection 7a77#ad772 and 7#b7 directly receives assistance on the individual's own behalf under the ,state program funded under this part or any other ,state program funded with qualified expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i774 4 7#b7 ,penalty ,paragraph 7#ah7 of section #dji7;a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fji7;a771 as added by subsection 7d77#b71 is amended by inserting or 7i7 after subsection 7h74 7#c7 ,conforming amendments #djb7;a77#a77;,a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjb7;a77#a77;,a77 is amended-- 7,a7 in clause 7ii71 by inserting and subject to subsection 7h7 and 7i7 of section #djh before the period2 and 7,b7 in clause 7iii71 by inserting and subject to subsection 7h7 and 7i7 of section #djh before the period4 7g7 ,disregard of income1 assets1 and resources for older caretaker relatives 7#a7 ,in general ,section #djh7;a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjh7;a771 as previously amended by this section1 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#ad7 ,disregard of income1 assets1 and resources for older caretaker relatives 7,a7 ,in general ,in determining the eligibility for1 and amount of1 assistance under the ,state program funded under this part or any other ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i77 for a family that includes an individual who is an older caretaker relative 7as defined in subparagraph 7,b771 a ,state to which a grant is made under section #djc shall not take into account the income1 assets1 or resources of that individual4 7,b7 ,definition 7i7 ,in general ,for purposes of this paragraph1 the term older caretaker relative means an individual who-- 7,i7 subject to clause 7ii71 has attained age #ee2 and 7,,ii7 is the primary caretaker for a minor child who-- 7aa7 is living with the individual2 7bb7 does not have a parent living in the home2 and 7cc7 is a relative of the individual4 7ii7 ,state option to modify age criterion ,at the option of a ,state1 such term shall include an individual who has not attained age #ee4 7iii7 ,determination to be made by ,state ,the determination of whether an individual meets the criteria described in clause 7i77,,ii7 shall be made by the ,state4 4 7#b7 ,penalty ,section #dji7;a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fji7;a771 as previously amended by this section1 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#bj7 ,penalty for failure to disregard income1 assets1 and resources for older caretaker relatives ,if the ,secretary determines that a ,state to which a grant is made under section #djc in a fiscal year has violated section #djh7;a77#ad7 during the fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall reduce the grant payable to the ,state under section #djc7;a77#a7 for the immediately succeeding fiscal year by an amount equal to #c percent of the ,state family assistance grant4 4 7h7 ,ensuring equitable treatment for older caretaker relatives under ,,tanf 7#a7 ,state notifications to older caretaker relatives of child ,,tanf recipients 7,a7 ,in general ,section #djh7;a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjh7;a771 as previously amended by this section1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#ae7 ,state requirements regarding notice to relative caretakers ,a ,state to which a grant is made under section #djc shall-- 7,a7 ensure that the ,state agency responsible for administering the ,state program funded under this part employs a resource employee who is trained to provide guidance to an older caretaker relative of a minor child if the child is a recipient of assistance under the program 7or under a ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i7771 on legal options regarding custody and guardianship of the child1 including explaining to the relative caretaker how each legal option corresponds to the availability of benefits and services1 and who serves as a liaison with other agencies and community organizations that provide resources and assistance to relative caretakers2 and 7,b7 ensure that the ,state agency provides to any older caretaker relative of a minor child if the child is a recipient of assistance under the ,state program funded under this part 7or under a ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i7771 written notice that-- 7i7 explains the options of the older caretaker relative under ,federal1 ,state1 and local law to participate in the care and placement of the child1 including the financial ramifications of the options and any options that may be lost by choosing certain benefits2 7ii7 describes the requirements under section #dga7;a77#aj7 to become a foster family home and the additional services and supports that are available for a child placed in such a home2 7iii7 if the ,state has elected the option to make guardianship assistance payments under section #dga7;a77#bh71 describes how the relative caretaker may enter into an agreement with the ,state to receive the payments2 7iv7 describes policies under the ,state program funded under this part that are designed to help older caretaker relatives1 including income1 asset1 and resource exemptions in determining program eligibility1 good cause exemptions to child support enforcement policies1 and work requirement exemptions2 7v7 provides direct contact information for other agencies and community organizations that provide resources and assistance1 such as housing1 supplemental nutrition assistance1 health care1 and child care2 and 7vi7 provides direct contact information for the resource employee described in subparagraph 7,a74 4 7,b7 ,inclusion in ,state plan ,section #djb7;a77#a77;,b7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjb7;a77#a77;,b77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7vi7 ,the document shall provide a detailed explanation of how the ,state intends to comply with section #djh7;a77#ae74 4 7,c7 ,penalty ,section #dji7;a7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fji7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#ba7 ,failure to notify relative caretakers ,if the ,secretary determines that a ,state to which a grant is made under section #djc for a fiscal year has violated section #djh7;a77#ae7 during the fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall reduce the grant payable to the ,state under section #djc7;a77#a7 for the immediately succeeding fiscal year by an amount equal to #d percent of the grant4 4 7#b7 ,state treatment of relative caretakers of child ,,tanf recipients ,section #djb7;a77#a77;,b7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fjb7;a771 as amended by paragraph 7#b77;,b71 is further amended by adding at the end the following3 7vii7 ,the document shall provide a detailed explanation of the ,state's treatment of older caretaker relatives of minor children1 in cases in which the child is a recipient of assistance under the ,state program funded under this part 7or under a ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i7771 including-- 7,i7 information regarding how the ,state defines terms such as relative1 fictive kin1 and caretaker2 7,,ii7 a description of the training received by caseworkers of the ,state agency responsible for administering the program in relation to older caretaker relatives of minor children1 in cases in which the child is such a recipient2 7,,iii7 an explanation of the ways in which assistance available under the program to an older relative caretaker of a minor child is affected by the temporary presence in the home of a biological parent of the child2 and 7,,iv7 an explanation of how benefits are adjusted for older caretaker relatives including income1 asset1 and resource exemptions in determining program eligibility1 good cause exemptions to child support enforcement policies1 and work requirement exemptions4 4 7#c7 ,enhanced data reporting ,section #daa7;a77#g7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #faa7;a77#g77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 ,the ,secretary shall also prescribe regulations to improve the reporting of data on the economic well-being and circumstances of families with older relative caretakers of minor children1 including1 to the extent practicable1 information relating to-- 7,a7 all adults in the family1 including whether or not such adults are recipients of assistance under the ,state program funded under this part 7or under a ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i7772 7,b7 all minor children in the family1 including whether any such minor child-- 7i7 is required to be included in the foster care reporting population for purposes of the ,adoption and ,foster ,care ,analysis ,reporting ,system 7,,afcars7 established pursuant to section #dgi2 or 7ii7 is not required to be so included in such foster care reporting population1 but-- 7,i7 is receiving services in the home of the relative caretaker that are supervised or administered by the ,state agency responsible for administering the ,state plan approved under part ,b2 7,,ii7 was placed with the relative caretaker to prevent the need for foster care as a result of an intervention on behalf of the child which was carried out or supervised by the ,state agency administering the ,state plans under parts ,b and ,e2 or 7,,iii7 was placed with the relative caretaker upon formal discharge from the care and placement responsibility of the ,state agency administering the plans under part ,b or ,e2 7iii7 all families who applied for a good-cause exemption to the ,state's child enforcement cooperation policies2 and 7iv7 all families who received a good-cause exemption to the ,state's child enforcement cooperation policies4 4 7i7 ,effective date 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the first day of the first fiscal year that begins after the date of enactment of this ,act4 7#b7 ,delay permitted 7,a7 ,in general ,before the date described in subparagraph 7,b71 a ,state plan under title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act shall not be regarded as failing to comply with an additional requirement imposed on the plan by this section if the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services determines that such additional requirement-- 7i7 requires ,state legislation 7other than legislation appropriating funds7 in order for the plan to meet such additional requirement2 or 7ii7 could not practicably be met by the plan before such date4 7,b7 ,date described ,for purposes of subparagraph 7,a71 the date described in this subparagraph is1 with respect to a ,state1 the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the ,state legislature that begins after the date of enactment of this section4 ,for purposes of the previous sentence1 in the case of a ,state that has a #b-year legislative session1 each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the ,state legislature4 #d4 ,improving the collection of child support for families receiving ,,tanf assistance 7a7 ,in general ,section #ded of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fed7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#cj7 through 7#cd7 as paragraphs 7#ca7 through 7#ce71 respectively2 and 7#b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#bi7 the following3 7#cj7 include a description of-- 7,a7 the methods used by the ,state to determine whether an individual who has applied for or is receiving assistance under the ,state program funded under part ,a1 the ,state program under part ,e1 the ,state program under title ,,xix1 or the supplemental nutrition assistance program1 as defined under section #c7;h7 of the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjab7;h771 is cooperating in good faith with the ,state in establishing paternity or in establishing1 modifying1 or enforcing a support order1 as provided in paragraph 7#bi72 7,b7 the ,state's process for determining in a timely manner whether such an individual satisfies the cooperation requirement described in subparagraph 7,a7 due to the individual's participation in another ,state or ,federal assistance program2 7,c7 the good cause or other exceptions to the cooperation requirement that the ,state recognizes1 including an explanation of any special requirements or considerations for an older relative caretaker seeking to apply for such an exception2 and 7,d7 how the ,state makes clear to an individual who has applied for or is receiving assistance under a program referred to in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 what1 if anything1 the individual needs to do in order to satisfy the cooperation requirement1 including explaining to the individual how the individual might satisfy the requirement through participation in another ,state or ,federal assistance program2 7ii7 the effect on the individual's eligibility to receive assistance under a program referred to in subparagraph 7,a71 and under other ,state or ,federal assistance programs1 if the individual fails to satisfy the cooperation requirement2 and 7iii7 the good cause or other exceptions to the cooperation requirement for which the individual may be eligible1 including the standard of proof required to qualify for each exception and an explanation of any special requirements or considerations for older caretaker relatives2 4 7b7 ,conforming amendments ,title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fja et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 in section #deb7k77#a71 by striking section #ded7ca7 and inserting section #ded7cb72 and 7#b7 in section #ded1 in the matter following paragraph 7#ce7 7as redesignated by subsection 7a77 by striking paragraph 7#cc7 and inserting paragraph 7#cd74 7c7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the first day of the first fiscal year that begins after the date of enactment of this ,act4 #e4 ,encouraging ,states to adopt temporary guardianship laws 7a7 ,in general ,section #dgd7;a77#g7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgd7;a77#g77 is amended by inserting 7or1 in the case of a ,state that has in effect for the quarter a temporary guardianship law 7as defined in section #dge7ad771 #ge percent7 after #ej percent4 7b7 ,definition ,section #dge of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fge7 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#ad7 7,a7 ,the term temporary guardianship law means a ,state law that allows for the establishment1 by operation of such law and through an easily navigable simple civil process1 of a relationship between a child and a nonparent caretaker who has taken responsibility for caring for the child in the absence of the child's parents in which some of the parental rights with respect to the child are transferred to the caretaker for a specified period of time which may be extended or renewed1 except that the total period of time for which such rights are transferred to the caretaker 7including any extensions or renewals7 shall not exceed a maximum period of time 7as established by the ,state74 7,b7 ,under the process established under a law described in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 court fees shall be waived or reduced2 and 7ii7 any court forms or filings related to the process are easy enough to understand that a nonparent caretaker who has taken responsibility for caring for the child in the absence of the child's parents could reasonably complete such forms or filings without legal assistance4 4 7c7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the first day of the first fiscal year that begins after the date of enactment of this ,act4 #f4 ,guidance 7a7 ,guidance to ,states on ensuring awareness of child welfare system among kinship caregivers ,not later than the first day of the first fiscal year that begins after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services shall issue guidance to ,states on ways to ensure that kinship caregivers who receive assistance under a ,state program funded under part ,a of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fja et seq47 or any other ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fji7;a77#g77;,b77i777 are-- 7#a7 provided with information about any appropriate assistance and services available to them through the child welfare system of the ,state1 including eligibility for foster care licensure and pathways to guardianship assitance programs or adoption subsidies1 and how to access such assistance and services2 and 7#b7 referred to any kinship navigator program operated by the ,state4 7b7 ,guidance on coordinating assistance for caregivers ,not later than the first day of the first fiscal year that begins after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services shall issue guidance for ,states identifying options for ,state programs1 including programs funded under title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fja et seq471 programs funded under the ,older ,americans ,act of #aife 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjja et seq471 and other relevant programs that are jointly funded or administered by ,states and the ,federal ,government1 to collaborate1 coordinate1 and streamline outreach to1 and processing of applications of assistance1 for grandparents and older relative caregivers or kinship caregivers caring for grandchildren and other relative children residing with them4 #g4 ,grant program for grandfamily housing 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section-- 7#a7 the term grandfamily housing means housing units dedicated to low-income-- 7,a7 grandparents caring full-time for a grandchild2 or 7,b7 older relative caregivers caring full-time for a relative child2 7#b7 the term grandfamily resident service coordinator means an individual who-- 7,a7 is an employee or contractor of an owner of grandfamily housing2 7,b7 assists grandparents and older relative caregivers with the process of applying to and moving into the grandfamily housing2 and 7,c7 regularly-- 7i7 assesses the needs of the residents1 on a collective and family basis1 of the grandfamily housing2 and 7ii7 plans and executes grandfamily housing programming services based on the assessment described in clause 7i72 7#c7 the term low-income means income that does not exceed #hj percent of the area median gross income2 7#d7 the term owner of grandfamily housing means a nonprofit or for-profit entity that develops1 owns1 or operates grandfamily housing2 7#e7 the term public housing has the meaning given the term in section #c7;b7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;a7b772 and 7#f7 the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development4 7b7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall establish a program to provide grants to owners of grandfamily housing for grandfamily resident service coordinators to support housing programming services1 equipment1 and building structures of grandfamily housing4 7c7 ,use of funds ,a recipient of a grant under this section may use the funds-- 7#a7 to plan and execute grandfamily housing programming services for families living in grandfamily housing2 7#b7 to fund the salaries of grandfamily resident service coordinators2 and 7#c7 for the construction and upkeep of spaces within permanent building structures of grandfamily housing that are used as a place to hold events and services for families living in grandfamily housing and to carry out the requirement under subsection 7d74 7d7 ,requirement ,as a condition of receiving a grant under this section1 a recipient shall1 through coordination with local kinship navigator programs1 as established in section #dgd7;a77#g7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgd7;a77#g771 engage with the larger community of grandparents and older relative caretakers raising relative children by performing periodic informational outreach to and holding periodic events for grandfamilies living in the close geographical area to the grandfamily housing but not living in the building1 with special attention given to grandparents and older relative caretakers who care for children and live in public housing4 7e7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this section #aj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj and #bjba4 #h4 ,state support plans for grandparents caring for grandchildren 7a7 ,in general ,not later than the first day of the first fiscal year that begins after the date of enactment of this ,act1 from amounts appropriated to carry out this section1 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services shall award grants to ,states for purposes of developing ,state support plans for grandparents caring for grandchildren and other relatives caring for relative children4 7b7 ,requirements ,a ,state support plan for grandparents caring for grandchildren and other relatives caring for relative children that is funded by a grant under this section shall include the following3 7#a7 ,an initial assessment of the state of grandparents caring for grandchildren and other relatives caring for relative children in the ,state4 7#b7 ,a plan for how appropriate ,state agencies can collaborate in their efforts to provide financial support1 housing services1 and other services and supports to grandparents caring for grandchildren and other relatives caring for relative children4 7#c7 ,steps that the ,state proposes to take over the next #e years to ensure that grandparents caring for grandchildren and other relatives caring for relative children have necessary resources4 7#d7 ,a plan to simplify or combine application requirements for ,state public assistance programs to reduce administrative burdens on recipients1 with a focus on families consisting of grandparents or other older caretaker relatives raising relative children4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated #aj1jjj1jjj to carry out this section4 #i4 ,national ,technical ,assistance ,center on ,grandfamilies 7a7 ,in general ,not later than the first day of the first fiscal year that begins after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator of the ,administration for ,community ,living shall establish a ,national ,technical ,assistance ,center on ,grandfamilies 7in this section referred to as the ,center7 to conduct the activities described in subsection 7b74 7b7 ,activities of center ,the ,center-- 7#a7 shall engage experienced experts to identify model practices or programs1 related to health1 nutrition1 housing1 and other related issues1 to help serve children1 parents1 and caregivers in grandfamilies2 7#b7 may develop guidelines for ,states to encourage best practices to support grandfamilies impacted by parental substance use1 including ways to help caregivers meet children's health1 development1 and wellbeing needs 7including promotion of safe sleep practices71 support birth parents' access1 engagement1 and success in treatment1 support birth parents' formation of a healthy attachment with their children1 and promote positive parenting 7including co-parenting support7 skills for both relative caregivers and birthparents2 and 7#c7 may facilitate learning across ,states and provide technical assistance and resources to individuals and entities that directly work with all #c generations in grandfamilies4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated #e1jjj1jjj to carry out this section4