Find resources that describe the changing family dynamics in kinship families and how evolving relationships can impact relative caregivers and all family members. The page also includes resources on how to deal with family changes.
Children and Families of the Incarcerated Fact Sheet (PDF - 439 KB)
National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcerated (2014)
Explains demographics, impact, and child welfare challenges faced by children in the United States with incarcerated parents and includes a section for caregivers, which explains the difficult dynamics they may face.
Complex Trauma: Facts for Caregivers (PDF - 169 KB)
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (2014)
Presents information for caregivers on recognizing the signs and symptoms of complex trauma in a child and provides recommendations for how to help.
Foster Care Placement Change: The Role of Family Dynamics and Household Composition
Waid, Kothari, Bank, & McBeath (2016)
Children and Youth Services Review, 68
Examines family dynamics across different living situations and finds that children placed in kinship care were most likely to achieve permanence. The results of this study show the need for additional research into the experience of children in different family living arrangements.
Foster or Adopted Children Who Have Been Sexually Abused
HealthyChildren.org (2017)
Provides information on establishing family guidelines for safety and privacy when it comes to parenting a child who has been sexually abused. The article lists tips for how the kinship family should behave and the impact abuse can have on the entire family.
Four Approaches to Family Team Meetings (PDF - 2,181 KB)
The Annie E. Casey Foundation (2013)
Introduces four approaches to involve kinship families in child welfare decisions, including family team conferencing, family group decision-making, permanency teaming, and team decision-making.
Guidance for Foster/Kinship Caregivers (PDF - 529 KB)
Szilagyi (2014)
American Academy of Pediatrics, Healthy Foster Care America
Provides information for kinship caregivers to help them successfully navigate the transition into foster/kinship care. The guide includes tips on routines and predictability, visitation, the impact of unpredictable events, and other topics related to family change.
Helping Children in Foster Care Successfully Transition Into Child Care
HealthyChildren.org (2017)
Explores the unique needs of foster children who have often been exposed to family issues such as drug use, mental health problems, violence, or criminal activity and gives advice to kinship caretakers or foster parents on how to deal with these challenges.
Kinship Care: A New Kind of Family (PDF - 619 KB)
Foli (2014)
Purdue University School of Nursing
Discusses various kinds of kinship families, the challenges faced by kinship caregivers in making a successful family, and the benefits of this type of care for the resilience of children.
Raising the Children of the Opioid Epidemic: Solutions and Support for Grandfamilies (PDF - 2,580 KB)
Generations United (2016)
Explores how the rise in heroin and opioid use has caused more children to be raised by grandparents or other relatives and examines challenges faced by kinship families in this situation. These types of family changes can lead to social, financial, physical, and mental health challenges.