This mixed methods study examined kinship caregivers’ perspectives of the Florida Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP) to understand how the program initially supported the needs of the child, caregiver, and family as they navigate permanent guardianship. Specifically, this study examined caregivers’ knowledge of the GAP; decision to apply for the GAP; perceptions of the GAP from families who had successfully closed cases to permanent guardianship; perceptions of the GAP from families who held active cases and had not yet closed to permanent guardianship; and perceptions of how children were adjusting in their home, comparing licensed and non-licensed foster care homes. Findings indicate that 47% of respondents first heard about the GAP when the child was initially placed with them, while 16% had never heard of the GAP until receiving the survey letter for this evaluation. The majority (56%) of those who had heard about the GAP were first told about it by the child’s caseworker. Among respondents who both knew about the GAP and who indicated whether or not they pursued GAP, 87% decided to apply for the GAP, and 90% of those who applied for licensing were eligible. Of those caregivers whose children’s cases had closed to permanent guardianship, the majority (63%) indicated that the licensing process was very easy or somewhat easy. Overall, the majority of caregivers indicated that the children were doing better since being initially placed in their care, but caregivers who were not licensed reported a slightly higher percentage of children who were doing worse.

这项混合方法研究检查了亲属照顾者对佛罗里达监护援助计划 (GAP) 的看法，以了解该计划最初如何支持儿童、照顾者和家庭在永久监护期间的需求。具体来说，本研究考察了看护者对 GAP 的了解；申请 GAP 的决定；成功结案并获得永久监护权的家庭对 GAP 的看法；持有活跃案件且尚未关闭永久监护权的家庭对 GAP 的看法；以及对儿童在家中如何适应的看法，比较有执照和无执照的寄养家庭。调查结果表明，47% 的受访者在孩子最初与他们在一起时第一次听说 GAP，而 16% 的人在收到本次评估的调查信之前从未听说过 GAP。大多数（56%）听说过 GAP 的人首先是由孩子的个案工作者告知的。在既了解 GAP 并表示是否追求 GAP 的受访者中，87% 的人决定申请 GAP，90% 的申请许可者符合条件。在那些孩子的案件已经接近永久监护的看护人中，大多数（63%）表示许可过程非常容易或有些容易。总体而言，大多数照顾者表示，自从最初被安置在他们的照顾之下以来，孩子们的表现更好，但没有获得许可的照顾者报告说，孩子表现更差的比例略高。大多数（56%）听说过 GAP 的人首先是由孩子的个案工作者告知的。在既了解 GAP 并表示是否追求 GAP 的受访者中，87% 的人决定申请 GAP，90% 的申请许可者符合条件。在那些孩子的案件已经接近永久监护的看护人中，大多数（63%）表示许可过程非常容易或有些容易。总体而言，大多数照顾者表示，自从最初被安置在他们的照顾之下以来，孩子们的表现更好，但没有获得许可的照顾者报告说，孩子表现更差的比例略高。大多数（56%）听说过 GAP 的人首先是由孩子的个案工作者告知的。在既了解 GAP 并表示是否追求 GAP 的受访者中，87% 的人决定申请 GAP，90% 的申请许可者符合条件。在那些孩子的案件已经接近永久监护的看护人中，大多数（63%）表示许可过程非常容易或有些容易。总体而言，大多数照顾者表示，自从最初被安置在他们的照顾之下以来，孩子们的表现更好，但没有获得许可的照顾者报告说，孩子表现更差的比例略高。在既了解 GAP 并表示是否追求 GAP 的受访者中，87% 的人决定申请 GAP，90% 的申请许可者符合条件。在那些孩子的案件已经接近永久监护的看护人中，大多数（63%）表示许可过程非常容易或有些容易。总体而言，大多数照顾者表示，自从最初被安置在他们的照顾之下以来，孩子们的表现更好，但没有获得许可的照顾者报告说，孩子表现更差的比例略高。在既了解 GAP 并表示是否追求 GAP 的受访者中，87% 的人决定申请 GAP，90% 的申请许可者符合条件。在那些孩子的案件已经接近永久监护的看护人中，大多数（63%）表示许可过程非常容易或有些容易。总体而言，大多数照顾者表示，自从最初被安置在他们的照顾之下以来，孩子们的表现更好，但没有获得许可的照顾者报告说，孩子表现更差的比例略高。