The purpose of the guardianship assistance program is to provide legal stability for a child who is in the custody or guardianship of a local department of social services by allowing relative caregivers to take full legal responsibility for the child. The goals of the guardianship assistance program are to: Encourage relative caregivers to become legal guardians of a child who has been placed in their home by a local department of social services by removing financial barriers; and Provide a permanent, safe, nurturing environment for a child that supports a familial cultural background.