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Adoption by Family Type: Kinship/Relative Families
Many children are adopted by a relative, someone related to the child by family ties or through a prior relationship connection. Placement with relatives is often the first option considered by workers in foster care when children cannot safely remain in the home of their parents or cannot be reunified with them. Relative families have some needs that are different from families who adopt unrelated children. Kin is the term that is often used to describe potential caregivers that may or may not be biologically related to the child, but have a strong or significant relationship with the child. In this section you will find information on relative/kinship adoption, including State and local examples.
Adopting a Relative
U.S. State Department
Provides an overview of the requirements to adopt a relative who is not a U.S. citizen.
How Do I Adopt My Relative's Child?
Presents a response to this frequently asked question, as answered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Questions and Answers Support.
| Kinship/Relative Care | |
| Series Title: | Related Organizations Lists |
| Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability: | View Download (PDF - 0KB) |
| Year Published: | 2011 - 5 pages |
| Organizations that provide information and resources for kinship and relative care providers. | |
Moving Your Grandchild into Your Home (PDF - 76 KB)
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (2003)
Discusses some of the most common adjustment problems that occur when grandchildren move in with grandparents and offers suggestions for making the adjustment easier.
Patterns of Relative Adoption (PDF - 1,308 KB)
National Child Welfare Resource Center for Adoption (2006)
Discusses the rise in the rate of relative adoption in the United States, particularly in the African-American community.
| Placement of Children With Relatives | |
| Series Title: | State Statutes |
| Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability: | View Download (PDF - 350KB) |
| Year Published: | 2010 - 55 pages |
| This publication summarizes State laws and statutes regarding placement of children with relatives when they are removed from their home and enter foster care. In order for States to receive Federal payments for foster care and adoption assistance, Federal law requires that they "consider giving preference to an adult relative over a nonrelated caregiver when determining placement for a child, provided that the relative caregiver meets all relevant State child protection standards." Most States give preference or priority to relative placements in their statutes. This publication discusses definitions of "relative," financial support for relative placement, and adoption by relatives. Summaries ... | |
Relative and Stepparent Adoption
Beauvais-Godwin and Godwin (3rd ed.)(2005)
In Complete Adoption Book: Everything You Need to Know to Adopt a Child
View Abstract
Explores the pros and cons of adopting a relative's child, disclosure of the adoption to the child, and reasons relatives choose adoption. The authors discuss kinship adoption as well as adoption by grandparents, adoption by stepparents, the advantages and disadvantages of adopting stepchildren, and the stepparent adoption process.
State Fact Sheets for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children
Children's Defense Fund (2007)
Contains factsheets about kinship care prepared by the AARP Grandparent Information Center for each State. The factsheets report national and State statistics and provide an overview of resources for relative caregivers. Support groups, foster care programs, public assistance, and State laws are described.
State and local examples
Adoption by Relatives in Wisconsin Including Stepparent Adoption
Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services (2004)
Summarizes the relative adoption process in Wisconsin.
Raising Relatives' Children (PDF - 523 KB)
Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parent Association (2005)
Offers information and resources for Iowa kinship care providers.
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