Many child welfare terms are subject to interpretation. The Glossary identifies commonly held definitions for terms that can be found on the Child Welfare Information Gateway website or in products and materials developed by external entities (e.g., Federal or State Agencies or other reliable organizations). When noted, Information Gateway is cited as the source. The Glossary also provides common acronyms and includes links to information on major Federal legislation and related child welfare terms. The Glossary will be updated as new terminology emerges in the field, as new legislation is enacted, and as child welfare terms take on new meaning.
For additional information on glossary terms, please see our index Search A-Z.
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003 (See Major Federal Legislation Concerned with Child Protection, Child Welfare, and Adoption.)
kinship adoption
Adoption of a child by someone related by family ties or a prior relationship.
kinship foster care
An arrangement that can occur when a public child welfare agency has legal custody and places a child with relatives or kin in a foster care arrangement. This type of arrangement is often referred to as either “formal” or “public” kinship care. Kinship foster homes may be either licensed or unlicensed, depending on State licensing requirements and family preferences.
kinship navigator program
Services that assist kinship caregivers in learning about and accessing programs and resources to meet the needs of the children in their care. Kinship navigator programs provide help to families to safeguard stability and promote partnerships among public and private agencies. These programs aim to improve caregivers' knowledge of services and assist them in identifying and accessing needed services.
knowledge management
A collection of systematic approaches to help information and knowledge flow to and between the right people at the right time (in the right format at the right cost) so they are able to act more efficiently and effectively to create value for the organization. (American Productivity & Quality Center)