Grandparents Acting as Parents Resources 5/3/2010
Programs for children: (based on income of the child)
TAFI grant – The TAFI grant is available to give temporary cash assistance to struggling Idaho families. Idaho has made this grant available to relative caretakers recognizing that they may also be facing financial hardships. Eligibility is based on the income of the child and there are minimal requirements including school attendance and immunization records. There is no time restriction on this grant which is available until the child turns eighteen.
Medicaid— Health coverage that is available for children living in low income households. Normally the guidelines for coverage use the cumulative household income but again in the case of KinCare families, eligibility is determined based on the income of the child.
The Idaho Smiles Dental Program is also available for Medicaid enrollees.
Head Start – The Head Start program was started to provide comprehensive child development services to economically disadvantaged children and families with a special focus on helping preschoolers develop the early reading and math skills they need to be successful in school. The Early Head Start program was established to serve children from birth to three years of age in recognition of the mounting evidence that the earliest years matter a great deal to children's growth and development. Head Start programs promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families. They engage parents in their children's learning and help them in making progress toward their educational, literacy and employment goals. Significant emphasis is placed on the involvement of parents in the administration of local Head Start programs. KinCare families are automatically eligible for the program.
Infant/Toddler Program— The Infant Toddler Program helps children from birth to age three who have a developmental delay. All babies need to learn an incredible amount in the first few months and years of life. Those with developmental delays require special assistance early in life so they can develop to their full potential. The Infant Toddler Program is available statewide and provides a variety of therapeutic, educational and supportive services to help both the child and their family. Services are provided as early as possible in the child’s life.
Programs for low-income families: (based on income of the family)
WIC - The WIC program (Women, Infants, and Children) is a federally funded nutrition assistance program. WIC provides money to buy healthy supplemental food from local authorized grocery stores, provides nutrition education, breastfeeding information and support, and help finding health care and other community support. In order to be eligible you must be a resident of Idaho, meet the income guidelines based on the income of the caretaker, pregnant or breastfeeding a child under the age of one, or have a child under the age of five.
Food Stamps - Food assistance program for low income families in Idaho. This program uses the household income and number of people in the household to determine eligibility and benefit amount. Immediate food assistance is available.
ICCP - (Idaho Child Care Program) provides subsidized child care to low income working families. Stay at home parents may be eligible to become an ICCP provider to supplement their household income.
Resources for children and families:
Support groups - Talk with other families in your situation. Link to Support Groups
Navigation Services - Health & Welfare staff that can help identify resources and provide short term case management. Call 2-1-1 to be referred to a navigator in your region.
Community Action Agencies – Community based providers who assist with a variety of needs including housing, weatherization, utility assistance etc. Call 2-1-1 to be connected to an agency in your area.
Dental Resources:
Idaho Smiles Dental Program—Dental program for existing Medicaid enrollees. For more information about eligibility and enrollment or to find a Idaho Smiles dentist in your area visit the website HERE
or call 1-800-936-0978.
Delta Dental Community Outreach—educational campaigns spreading awareness about the importance of dental health in children and adults. For more information about dental health click HERE for English and
HERE for Spanish. Or you can visit the Delta Dental website for information about their programs.
For more free and low cost dentist options call 2-1-1 or 1-800-926-2588.
For more information consult the kincare page HERE.