Kinship Guardian Assistance Payment (Kin-GAP) Program
The Kin-GAP program prioritizes placement of children with relatives when they have been removed from their home of origin. If the child is unable to reunify with their parents, the relative is asked to become the legal guardian for the child. Children do best when placed with a safe, consistent, caring, appropriate relative when they cannot remain with their parent(s); placing foster children in the care of a relative has been a vital focus of Child Welfare Services. Preferential consideration for the placement of the child is given to a grandparent, aunt, uncle or sibling.
When a relative accepts legal guardianship, they will receive a monthly stipend from the placing County’s Social Services Department to offset expenses associated with caring for and raising the child.
What is the process?
Kinship Guardian Assistance Payment (Kin-GAP) Program
Caregivers will work closely with the youth’s permanency social worker to complete the appropriate process and documentation necessary to establish Legal Guardianship and participation in the Kin-GAP program.
Who can use this service?
This service is provided to eligible relative caregivers who have established legal guardianship through San Luis Obispo County Superior Court.
Is there a charge for this service?
This service is provided free of charge.
When and where is this service offered?
Eligible relative caregivers will receive funding throughout the dependency process, which will be converted to Kin-GAP through San Luis Obispo County Superior Court upon the Court’s order of Legal Guardianship.
Location, directions and hours of operation
Click on location name to show hours of operation, directions and phone information
600 Quintana Road Morro Bay , CA 93442
Tel: (805) 772-6405
Fax: (805) 772-6409
3433 South Higuera San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
1086 East Grand Avenue Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
681 West Tefft Street Suite 1 Nipomo, CA 93444
9630 El Camino Real Atascadero, CA 93422
406 Spring Street Paso Robles, CA 93446
Frequently Asked Questions
A relative caregiver will go through the same Resource Family certification process as any other foster home in California. The placing and/or licensing Social Worker will explain to the relative the certification process and requirements.
Relative means an adult who is related to the child by blood, adoption or marriage. Step-parents, step-siblings and all relatives whose status is proceeded by the words “great”, “great-great”, or “grand” or the spouse of any of these persons are also considered a relative.
Please contact the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services – Child Welfare at (805) 781-1700 to request additional information. Regular office hours are Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed on County-observed holidays).
Information can be obtained at any San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services office or by arrangement.
Contact Social Services
Child Hotline Information:
- If you suspect there is an emergency requiring immediate intervention, call 911
- To report suspected child abuse or neglect call the 24 hour Child Abuse Hotline at (805) 781-KIDS (5437) or toll free 1-800-834-KIDS (5437)
Adult Hotline Information:
- If you suspect there is an emergency requiring immediate intervention, call 911
- To report suspected elder abuse or neglect call the Adult Services Hotline at (805) 781-1790 during regular business hours, or after business hours call (844) 729-8011
- Mandated Reporter