Kinship care refers to the care of children by relatives or, in some jurisdictions, close family friends (often referred to as fictive kin). Relatives are the preferred resource for children who must be removed from their birth parents because it helps maintain the children's connections with their families, increases stability, and overall minimizes the trauma of family separation.
It is imperative that kinship caregivers have the supports they need when a child is placed in their care. Resources in this section include information on changing family dynamics, financial and legal supports, and permanency.
- About kinship care
- Resources for caseworkers in kinship care
- Resources for relative and kinship caregivers
- Kinship care for diverse populations
Children's Bureau Grantee Synthesis: Kinship Navigator Programs
Series Title
Grantee Lessons Learned
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2019
Provides information and lessons learned from Children’s Bureau grantees experience implementing kinship navigator programs, including cross-cutting themes and promising practices.
Kinship Guardianship as a Permanency Option
Series Title
State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2019
Reviews State laws and policies that allow a family member or other person with close ties to a child who has been placed in out-of-home care to become that's child's permanent guardian. Guardianship has emerged as a permanency option for a child who has been placed in out-of-home care as it creates a legal relationship between a child and caregiver that is intended to be permanent and self-sustaining and can provide a permanent family for the child without the necessity of terminating the parents' parental rights. A guardian's rights and duties, approving a guardianship home, modifying or revoking a guardianship, and kinship guardianship assistance are among the issues addressed. Summaries of relevant laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.
Partnering With Relatives to Promote Reunification
Series Title
Factsheets for Families
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Disponibilidad
Year Published
2020
Shares stories and advice from caregivers and birth parents who have experienced kinship care on the importance of maintaining boundaries, managing family dynamics, building trust, positive parenting and communication, and securing support.
Placement of Children With Relatives
Series Title
State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2023
Presents an overview of State laws that give priority or preference to a child's relatives when they need to be placed in out-of-home care. The issues addressed include locating relatives, determining the fitness of a relative to provide care, and requirements for licensure. Requirements for placing siblings together whenever possible and adoption by relatives also are addressed.
State Kinship Care Contacts and Programs
Series Title
Related Organizations Lists
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
Year Published
2021
This resource listing includes State Kinship Care contacts or website links to kinship care programs provided by State child welfare agencies in relevant States and the District of Columbia.