This section offers examples of guides and handbooks for grandparents and other relatives who are caring for children. The guides and handbooks provide information pertaining to financial assistance, legal assistance, health care, child care, finding support groups, trauma-informed parenting, and more. State and local examples are also listed.
The Grandkin Guide: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for Relatives Raising Children (PDF - 544 KB)
National Kinship Alliance for Children (2013)
Explains what extended families can expect when asked to care for relative children. The guide provides information on kinship care, legal custody, financial assistance, trauma-informed parenting, answers to frequently asked questions, and more.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
HelpGuide.org (2017)
Provides information for grandparents and other relative caregivers in kinship care, including information on feelings, self-care, support, focusing on creating a stable environment, communication, parental visits, and more.
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, permanency planning, reunification, adoption, and other topics.
Kinship Caregiver Handbooks (PDF - 292 KB)
National Center for Child Welfare Excellence at the Silberman School of Social Work (2014)
Offers a State-by-State listing of free online handbooks for kinship caregivers. The handbooks provide assistance on navigating the child welfare system, answers to frequently asked questions, and lists of available resources related to kinship caregiving.
State and local examples
A Guide to Kinship Care (PDF - 3,195 KB)
Franklin County Children Services (2015)
Describes kinship care in Franklin County, OH, and presents resources for relative caregivers on financial assistance, Medicaid, child support, after-school care, licensing, and permanency incentives.
Handbook for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children (PDF - 5,755 KB)
San Diego County Board of Supervisors
Defines the status and role of relative caregivers in California. This resource also points to available resources to help relatives raising children in their care.
Kinship Caregivers Guide: A Guide for Adults Who Are Caring for the Children of Relatives or Family Friends (PDF - 1,250 KB)
Agency of Human Services, Departmen for Children and Families (2017)
Outlines kinship care in Vermont and provides information on topics such as how kinship care happens, kinship care arrangements in Vermont, help with basic needs, and more. The guide highlights resources related to child care, child development, economic assistance, education, and support groups for relative caregivers.
Ohio Resource Guide for Relatives Caring for Children (PDF - 1,802 KB)
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (2017)
Helps kinship caregivers in Ohio find assistance with issues like expenses, medical services, education, legal services, and more. The guide discusses the role of a public children services agency, common signs of physical abuse, and practical suggestions for navigating public programs and resources.
Raising Relatives' Children (PDF - 1,352 KB)
Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parent Association (2013)
Presents a booklet designed to help kinship caregivers, including grandparents and other relatives who take in children they care about, to work effectively with the Iowa Department of Human Services and juvenile court.
A Resource Guide for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children in Oregon (PDF - 2,621 KB)
Oregon Department of Human Services (2013)
Offers information on resources, benefits, and services for kinship caregivers in Oregon, including support groups, community resources, a guide to working with the Oregon Department of Human Resources, and more.
Resource Parent Handbook: A Guide for Foster and Kinship Caregivers (PDF - 3,008 KB)
Philadelphia Department of Human Services (2015)
Outlines foster care and kinship caregiving in Philadelphia, PA, and gives information and resources that can provide assistance and support to caregivers. The publication includes a section on frequently asked questions, information on reaching permanency for youth, and information on the Philadelphia child welfare system.
Services to Kinship Caregivers Resource Guide (PDF - 634 KB)
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (2017)
Provides information on services available for kinship caregivers in Texas and reviews legal information, caregiver evaluations, caregiver training, financial and other assistance, licensing, and more.