Kinship Support Program

The Franklin County Office on Aging collaborates with the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) to administer the Kinship Support Program, which offers support to kinship caregivers aged 55 or older who are providing full-time care to a minor child whose biological parents are unable to do so. The Kinship Support Program helps with a variety of free short-term services that can be accessed once a calendar year.

A variety of services are available to kinship caregivers through this program, including:

Appliances (Washer, microwave, stove, etc.)
Durable medical equipment
Infant/toddler/child health maintenance supplies (Diapers, pull-ups, baby wipes, etc.)
Infant crib with mattress
Kinship caregiver counseling
Lift chairs
Mattress & box spring set
Security deposit or rent assistance
Utility assistance (i.e., electric, gas and water)

In addition, other items and/or services that benefit a caregiver may also be considered.

(NOTE: The availability of this assistance is based on funding at the time the referral is made.)

Download our Kinship Support Postcard

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

Residents are eligible for these services if they are meeting the following eligibility requirements:

Reside in Franklin County (Ohio)
Aged 55 years or older
Provide full-time care to a child between the age of birth and 17 (or 18-years-old if the child is enrolled in school or training program)
The child lives in the same private residence as the kinship support caregiver
The child’s biological parent(s) do not reside in the same private residence as the kinship support caregiver

HOW TO ENROLL

Residents can enroll in the Kinship Support Program by calling (614) 525-6200 weekdays 9AM-4:30PM ET. Residents will need to complete an over-the-phone confidential assessment to identify service need, eligibility and to coordinate services.

Residents can also request these services through the online referral form.

The National Family Caregiver Support Program is funded by the Older American’s Act (OAA) through the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA). The Franklin County Office on Aging (FCOA) receives a grant contract from this funding through the COAAA to administer the Agency’s Kinship Support Program through the Caregiver Support Program (CGSP) which offers a variety of services to kinship caregivers of minor children who have a demonstrated need for assistance that can be accessed once a calendar year.