,,ii #aahth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #dibc ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,august #a1 #bjbd,mr4 ,casey 7for himself and ,mr4 ,young7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,finance ,a ,,bill ,to amend title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act to require ,states to provide information about available benefits and services to kinship caregivers4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,informing ,grandfamilies ,act4 #b4 ,state notifications to kinship caregivers of child ,,tanf recipients and applicants 7a7 ,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 following3 7#ac7 ,state requirements regarding notice and guidance to kinship caregivers 7,a7 ,in general ,a ,state to which a grant is made under section #djc shall ensure that the ,state agency provides to any kinship caregiver of a minor child1 including grandparents and other relative caregivers1 who contacts the ,state agency seeking 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 or if the child is a recipient of such assistance1 written notice that-- 7i7 explains the options of the kinship caregiver 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 benefits1 including how the receipt of benefits 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;,b77i777 could impact eligibility for other programs2 7ii7 describes the additional services and supports that are available for a child placed in a licensed foster family home2 7iii7 notifies the kinship caregiver of the availability of guardianship assistance payments if the ,state has elected the option to make guardianship assistance payments under section #dga7;a77#bh72 7iv7 describes policies under the ,state program funded under this part that may help kinship caregivers and the children they care for2 and 7v7 provides direct contact information for kinship navigator programs described in section #dbg7;a77#a7 or other agencies1 including the ,state child welfare agency1 and community-based organizations that provide resources and assistance1 such as legal services1 housing1 supplemental nutrition assistance1 health care1 and child care4 7,b7 ,timing of notice ,the notice required under subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 shall be provided to a kinship caregiver of a minor child at the time that the kinship caregiver comes into contact with the ,state agency regarding 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 7ii7 if applicable1 shall be provided to a kinship caregiver at the time the kinship caregiver attends an eligibility interview for assistance 7either on the kinship caregiver's own behalf or on behalf of the child7 under such a program funded under this part2 or 7iii7 if the kinship caregiver 7or the child7 is already receiving assistance under such a program on the date of enactment of this paragraph1 shall be sent to the kinship caregiver as soon as practicable after such date4 7,c7 ,provision of guidance to kinship caregivers 7i7 ,in general ,a ,state to which a grant is made under section #djc shall ensure that the ,state agency responsible for administering the ,state program funded under this part employs a resource employee or contracts with a community-based organization4 ,such resource employee or community-based organization shall have the necessary expertise to provide guidance to kinship caregivers1 including grandparents and other relative caregivers1 of a minor child who is a recipient of or may be seeking assistance under the program 7or under a ,state program funded with qualified ,state expenditures 7as defined in section #dji7;a77#g77;,b77i777 on-- 7,i7 eligibility requirements for a ,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 the relevant documentation and application information required to apply for such programs2 7,,ii7 legal options regarding custody and guardianship of the child1 including explaining to the kinship caregiver how each legal option corresponds to the availability of benefits and services1 if any2 7,,iii7 eligibility for guardianship assistance payments if the ,state has elected to make guardianship assistance payments under section #dga7;a77#bh72 and 7,,iv7 how the receipt of benefits 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;,b77i777 could impact eligibility for other programs4 7ii7 ,serving as a liaison ,a resource employee or community-based organization described in clause 7i7 shall serve as a liaison with other agencies and community-based organizations that provide resources and assistance to kinship caregivers1 which may include guidance for initiating the process of obtaining foster family licensure4 4 7b7 ,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#ac74 4