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Specialized Services for Kinship Caregivers
Family support services for kinship caregivers must take into account that kin are likely to be single, older, in poorer health, and financially less secure than nonrelative caregivers, while children in their care are generally younger and often need special services. These families generally receive few economic supports and are less likely to be aware of services available to them once a child is placed in their care. In addition, they may not have support from extended family, peers, or the community in general.
Commonly needed supports include financial assistance, childcare, respite, medical care, and training in parenting skills. Family mediation or counseling is also often needed to assist caregivers and birth parents in resolving conflicts, easing the difficulties of parenting a relative's child, and achieving a permanent plan for the child.
Children Cared for by Relatives: What Services Do They Need?
Macomber & Geen (2002)
Examines access to services enjoyed by kin involved with child welfare agencies, compared with kin caring for children privately. (PDF - 187 KB)
The Grandparent's and Other Relative Caregiver's Guide to Child Care and Early Childhood Education Programs: What You Need to Know to Give the Child You Are Raising a Head Start (PDF - 370 KB)
Children's Defense Fund (2002)
Answers questions grandparents might have in accessing childcare and educational services.
Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children: Caregiver Support Groups: Fact Sheet (PDF - 73 KB)
Generations United (2004)
Provides information on networks of caregiver support groups for grandparents and other relatives raising children throughout the United States, and on resources for starting a support group.
Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children: Information and Assistance Services: Fact Sheet (PDF - 105 KB)
Generations United (2003)
Highlights national information and assistance services available to relative caregivers, and describes innovative State and local programs.
A Guide to the National Family Caregiver Support Program and Its Inclusion of Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children (PDF - 575 KB)
Generations United (2003, 2nd ed.)
Explains the provisions of the National Family Caregiver Support Program and describes examples of effective programs in each of five categories.