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noncitizen, living with a caretaker relative during the adoption process, and be a Florida resident, and meet Special Needs criteria under section 409.166(2)(a), F.S.

Restriction on Amount, Frequency, or Duration of Payments: DCF determines the child’s continued eligibility for the subsidy every 12 months and reviews eligibility when any of the eligibility conditions change.

Referral to Other Programs to Assist Transition from Welfare to Work: The families receive complete case management, case related legal services, and appropriate referrals to other services, as needed.

5.4 GUARDIANSHIP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND SERVICES

Purpose: The program provides financial assistance to a relative who is caring full-time for an eligible child and that child cannot return to the care and custody of his or her parents and adoption is not in the best interest of the child. The specified guardian is a licensed foster parent prior to entering into a Guardianship Assistance Agreement for ongoing care of the child. The child is determined to not meet Title IV-E foster care eligibility requirements. The TANF payment aids in supporting the relative, or next of kin, who is assuming permanent guardianship of the child. The relative may use these TANF funds for on-going counseling, educational, or other needs so that the child may remain part of a permanent family.

Eligibility Criteria: The program receives TANF and MOE funds. The needy child must be under the age of 18 and is determined to not meet Title IV-E foster care eligibility requirements. The child must have income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, a U.S. citizen or a qualified noncitizen, a Florida resident, and has been living in foster care in the home of the relative. The relative must be eligible to receive a foster care board payment on behalf of the child for at least six consecutive months.

Restrictions on Amount, Frequency, or Duration of Services or Payments: DCF determines the child’s continued eligibility for the payment every 12 months and reviews eligibility when any eligibility conditions change.

Referral to Other Programs to Assist Transition around Welfare to Work: The families receive case management, case related legal services, and appropriate referrals to other services as needed.

5.5 SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAMS OR EARLY LEARNING COALITIONS (SECTION 1002, PART VI, F.S.)

The Division of Early Learning’s School Readiness (SR) Program is housed within the Florida Department of Education. SR provides financial assistance for quality childcare for eligible families so parents can work or prepare for work, or to children who are at risk of abuse, neglect or abandonment, homeless, or victims of domestic violence. Services vary based on individual need and range from extended day to extended year and school