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  • Kinship/Relative Adoption

Kinship/Relative Adoption

Permanent placement with relatives, or kin, is often the first option considered by foster care workers when children cannot safely remain in their parents’ home or cannot be reunited with them. When kinship families adopt, they often have different needs and face different challenges than families who adopt children unrelated to them. While kin is the term often used to describe potential caregivers biologically related to the child, some jurisdictions also recognize close friends or "fictive kin" who have a strong or significant relationship with the child and may meet the requirements for a prospective family. Resources in this section include information on kinship and relative adoption, including State and local examples.

Adopting a Family Member From Foster Care
Considering Adoption
Gives information on adopting a relative child from foster care and discusses the steps involved in kinship/relative adoption.

Adopting a Relative for Immigration to the United States
U.S. Department of State
Provides an overview of the requirements for adopting a relative from abroad.

Adoption
Grandfamilies.org
Describes adoption by grandparents and the process through which this type of adoption occurs.

The Hidden Hurdles and Benefits of Kinship Care and Adoption
Tangel (2022)
Adoption Advocate, 164
Reviews the topic of kinship care adoptions and provides recommendations for child welfare professionals on the home study process, achieving permanency, placement stability, and more.

Kinship Care and the Child Welfare System

Series Title
Factsheets for Families
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
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Download (PDF - 419KB)
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Disponibilidad
Ver
Versión para imprimir (PDF - 460KB)
Ordene (Gratis)
Year Published
2022
Discusses issues of interest to the growing number of grandparents, other relatives, and family friends caring for children whose parents are unable to care for them. This factsheet is designed to help kin caregivers work effectively with the child welfare system. It also includes resources, such as links to more detailed information or places to find support, to help caregivers learn about and navigate the child welfare system.

Placement of Children With Relatives

Series Title
State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
View
Download (PDF - 377KB)
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.

Working With Kinship Caregivers

Series Title
Bulletins for Professionals
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
View
Download (PDF - 355KB)
Order (Free)
Year Published
2018
Helps child welfare professionals promote kinship care by providing kinship caregivers with information, referral, and support services to ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of children in their care. Topics covered include the types and benefits of kinship care, training for caseworkers and caregivers, specific strategies for supporting kinship caregivers, and examples of successful State and local child welfare programs that provide services to kinship caregivers.

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State and local examples

Kinship and Relative Care Services
Minnesota Department of Human Services, MN Adopt
Describes kinship care and shares resources in Minnesota for prospective kinship parents along with national resources.

Kinship Care Portal
Georgia Department of Human Services
Presents information, resources, and ways to find support for prospective kinship families and kinship caregivers who have provided permanency for their family member through kinship adoption in Georgia.

Making the Adoption/Guardianship Decision (PDF - 1,700 KB)
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Provides answers to common questions about adoption and guardianship, birth parent rights, the responsibilities of adopting relatives, and more.

New York State Kinship Navigator
Provides legal, financial, referral, and advocacy information for kinship caregivers so they can provide stability and permanency for children in their home.

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Spotlight On

Guardianship

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau

Kinship/Relative Care Organizations
Series Title: Related Organizations Lists
Author(s): Child Welfare Information Gateway

Quality Improvement Center for Adoption & Guardianship Support and Preservation

Related Content

Kinship Care

Adoption by Family Type

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