Grandparent and Alternative Care Provider (GACP) Program
The Grandparent and Alternative Care Provider Program was created by the Department of Social Development and Seniors as a program for children who have been found in need of protection under the Child Youth and Family Services Act and require out-of-home care.
The program supports children in two ways:
- Out of Home Care (Temporary Placement) – provides support for children in need of protection until they can safely return to their parents. The primary goal is for reunification with the child’s parents.
- Child Support Services (Permanent Placement) – provides support when a child lives longer term with an alternative care provider due to child protection concerns that required a safety plan to be made and reunification with the child’s parents is not possible.
STREAM ONE
Out of Home Care (Temporary Placement)
Who is this program for?
This part of the GACP Program is for children who need temporary out-of-home placement for their safety and well-being. It helps place children with a care provider other than the child’s parent such as a grandparent, family, or family friend who has a relationship with the child until reunification is possible.
How does the agreement work?
If a child is believed to need protection and cannot be safely cared for by either parent, the Director of Child Protection or a delegated child protection worker (CPSW) can do one of the following:
- Make an agreement (Voluntary Transfer to Other) with the parents and a care provider who has a relationship with the child to temporarily care for the child. This must be approved and supervised by the Director.
- Go to court to ask for the child to be placed in temporary care with someone other than the parents or the Director. The court decides how long the arrangement will last, and the Director continues to supervise the child’s safety and wellbeing.
In both cases, a Family Intervention Plan must be implemented. This plan outlines the services and support needed to address the issues that led to the child needing protection.
A GACP social worker must complete an assessment of the care provider and their home within 45 days of referral. If the home does not meet safety standards, the CPSW will be notified, and the temporary guardianship may end.
Who can be a care provider?
A care provider is a person, other than the child’s parent, who has primary responsibility for the day-to-day care of a child.
A care provider can be a grandparent, extended family member, or close family friend who has a relationship with the child.
The GACP Social Worker in collaboration with the Child Protection Social Worker will assess and approve care providers based on safety and what’s best for the child.
What support is provided?
Approved care providers receive monthly financial compensation. This payment is intended to cover costs associated with providing day-to-day care for the child such as room and board, food, utilities, clothing, and household supplies.
Upon approval of the Director, extra financial help may be available for things such as vision care, medical support, special equipment, or services that aren’t covered by other government programs for children and youth with special needs.
Will a social worker be assigned?
Yes. A Child Protection Social Worker as well as a GACP Social Worker will support the child and the care provider while they hold temporary custody and guardianship of the child.
How long is a temporary guardianship?
The first agreement can last:
- Up to three months for children under six years old; and
- Up to six months for children six years and older.
What happens when the temporary guardianship expires?
After that, the agreement can be renewed, but the total time must not go beyond:
- 18 months for children under six; and
- 24 months for children six and older.
Can the agreement end early?
Yes. Any party can end the agreement at any time. A written notice must be given at least 15 days in advance so new arrangements can be made for the child.
If safety concerns arise related to the GACP care provider, immediate safety planning for the child may be required.
A court application may be made if it is determined that an out-of-home safety plan is still needed and it is not in the best interest for the child to move
What are the requirements to be a temporary guardian?
The proposed care provider must:
- Work cooperatively with the GACP Social Worker and other service providers; and
- Agree to a GACP assessment.
The proposed care provider must not:
- Have an open Child Protection case;
- Have a criminal record or Child Protection history that could affect the child’s safety; or
- Live in the same home as the child’s parent.
When can the child return to the care of their parents?
The child can return home when all protection concerns have been resolved, and reunification is possible with the parents.
What are the requirements to have the child permanently placed?
In such cases, permanency planning becomes essential to ensure the child’s long-term well-being as it provides a pathway to permanent placement.
The GACP Program considers four types of permanency planning:
- Physical permanency – the child lives in a safe and stable home;
- Relational permanency – the child has lasting relationships with family or people who feel like family;
- Cultural permanency– the child stays connected to their cultural background; and
- Legal permanency– the child is part of a legally recognized, caring family.
When does the Temporary Placement service end?
This service may close if:
- The child protection concerns have been mitigated to the extent that it is determined safe for the child to return home to the care of their parent(s);
- The child turns 18 years of age;
- The child voices concerns relating to the placement;
- The care provider advises that they wish to close the GACP service;
- There is a parent with whom the child can safely reside;
- A GACP Child Support Services (Permanent Placement) service is opened.
More information is available in the Grandparent and Alternative Care Provider Program: Out of Home Care (Temporary Placement) policy.
Special considerations for Indigenous children are also included in the policy.
STREAM TWO
Child Support Services (Permanent Placement)
Child Support Services (Stream Two) was created by the Department of Social Development and Seniors as a program that supports permanent placements of children who have been found in need of protection from parental harm and require out-of-home care. In these situations, it has been determined that the child protection concerns have been unresolved and reunification with a parent is not possible.
Child Support Services (Permanent Placement)
What is permanency planning?
Permanency planning ensures children have a pathway to safe, stable, and long-term living arrangements when they can’t return to their parents. It's central to the Permanent Placement service, which supports the long-term wellbeing of a child.
In this stream, a child may stay in a placement long-term if it is safe and stable, the child protection concerns remain unresolved, and reunification is not possible with a parent.
The GACP Program considers four types of permanency:
- Physical permanence – the child lives in a safe and stable home;
- Relational permanence – the child has lasting relationships with family or people who feel like family;
- Cultural permanence – the child stays connected to their cultural background; and
- Legal permanence – the child is part of a legally recognized, caring family.
Who is this program for?
The GACP Permanent Placement Program is for children where child protection concerns remain unresolved, and reunification is not possible with a parent.
It allows a grandparent or alternate care provider to take permanent legal custody and guardianship of the child who is not in the care of the Director.
How does the agreement work?
If a child has been living with a care provider due to needing protection from parental harm and reunification is not possible with a parent, and the home is safe and stable, it may become a permanent placement.
This permanent agreement can happen in two ways:
- A judge gives the caregiver legal custody or guardianship of the child; or
- The child’s parent agrees to permanently give legal custody or guardianship to the caregiver.
Once the agreement is signed, the placement is reviewed every six months. These reviews are required to receive ongoing financial support and may happen more often if necessary for the child’s wellbeing.
What is a care provider and who can be one?
A care provider is a person, other than the child’s parent, who has primary responsibility for the day-to-day care of a child.
A care provider can be a grandparent, extended family member, or family friend who has a relationship with the child.
The GACP Social Worker will assess eligibility of the care provider(s) and approve them based on safety and the best interests of the child.
What are the requirements to be a permanent guardian?
The proposed care provider must:
- Apply for or already receive the Canada Child Benefit for the child;
- Not have an open Child Protection case;
- Not have a criminal record that may impact the child’s safety or best interest;
- Not have a Child Protection history that could affect the child’s safety; and
- Not reside in the home of the parent.
The care provider must get approval from the GACP Social Worker for any circumstances where the parent is attending the home regularly, including overnight visits.
What support is provided?
Approved care providers receive monthly financial compensation. This payment is intended to cover costs associated with providing day-to-day care for the child, such as room and board, food, utilities, clothing and household supplies.
Extra support may be available for things such as medical care, vision needs, special equipment, or services not covered by other government programs for children and youth with special needs.
Will a social worker be assigned?
Yes. A GACP Social Worker will support the care provider while they have permanent custody and guardianship of the child.
When does the service end?
The GACP Child Support Service may close if:
- the child turns 18 years of age;
- the child voices concerns relating to the placement;
- the child no longer resides with the care provider;
- the care provider advises that they wish to close the GACP service;
- the child and/or care provider move out of the province;
- the care provider no longer meets the criteria for the GACP;
- the care provider and/or parent(s), if appropriate, no longer abides by the terms of their GACP Agreement(s); or
- the child comes into the legal custody and guardianship of the Director.
- the child is adopted.
More information is available in the Grandparent and Alternative Care Provider Program: Child Support Services (Permanent Placement) policy.
Special considerations for Indigenous children are also included in the policy.