441—204.2(234) Eligibility.
	204.2(1) General conditions of eligibility. The guardian named in a permanency order under Iowa Code section 232.104(2)“d”(1) or Iowa Code chapter 633 for a child who was previously in the custody of the department is eligible for subsidy when all of the following conditions exist:
	a. 	The child has a documented permanency goal of:
	(1)	Guardianship; or
	(2)	Another planned permanent living arrangement.
	b. 	The child is either:
	(1)	14 years of age or older and consents to the guardianship; or
	(2)	 No younger than 12 years of age and part of a sibling group with a child aged 14 or older.
	c. 	The child has lived in continuous foster family care with the prospective guardian for the six months before initiation of the guardianship subsidy.
	d. 	The prospective guardian is a licensed relative foster parent who has a significant relationship with the child and demonstrates a willingness to make a long-term commitment to the child’s care.
	(1)	The guardian shall be a relative as defined in this chapter.
	(2)	Placement with that guardian must be in the best interest of the child. The best-interest determination must be documented in the case file.
	e. 	A child 12 years of age or older and part of a sibling group with a child 14 years of age or older may be eligible for subsidy if all criteria are met. The following conditions for the younger sibling shall also be met:
	(1)	The sibling is placed as a foster child in the same prospective guardian home.
	(2)	The guardian and the department agree it is appropriate for guardianship to be granted for the sibling.
	204.2(2) Residency. The subsidized guardianship applicant or recipient need not reside in Iowa.
	204.2(3) Unearned income. The family or the guardian shall provide to the department worker documentation from the source of the child’s unearned income.
	204.2(4) Other services.  Other services available to meet the needs of the child that are free of charge, such as federal, state, and local governmental programs, or private assistance programs, shall be explored and used prior to the expenditure of subsidized guardianship funds.
[ARC 4167C, IAB 12/5/18, effective 2/1/19]