Texas Kincare Guide

Grandparents & Other Nonparent Caregivers

This article is an overview of the Texas Kincare Guide, which is a manual featuring information and resources for grandparents and other nonparents caring for a child.

Composed by Family Helpline – TLSC • Last Legal Review on November 7, 2025 • Last Edited on November 7, 2025

The Texas Kincare Primer gives grandparents and nonparents resources and information for caring for children, including information about public benefits. A link to the complete PDF is included.

What is kincare?

"Kincare" is a term used when a child is cared for by a nonparent family member such as a grandparent, great-grandparent, aunt, uncle, older sibling, or other blood relative. Kincare includes situations where both parents live outside the home. However, kincare may also include situations where the parents live in the same home as the child, but do not have care or control over the child.

What is covered in the Kincare Primer?

In Texas, there are an estimated 600,000 children each year who are cared for a nonparent relative for at least part of the year. This publication was written to help kincare caregivers get the information they need to successfully support themselves and their families. This manual has information for both families who have been involved with CPS and those who have not.

Is this the same as the Kinship Manual?

The Texas Kincare Primer is different from the "Kinship Manual" produced by CPS. The CPS Kinship Manual is specifically for families who have a child that CPS has found to have been abused or neglected.