Foster, kinship, guardianship, and adoptive parents play important roles in supporting permanency for their children. The following resources can help parents better understand their contributions to the permanency process.

• For foster parents
• For kinship, guardianship, and adoptive parents

For foster parents

Co-Parenting or Shared Parenting
Stevens (2018)
Adoptalk, 2
North American Council on Adoptable Children   
Explains the pivotal role foster parents play in a child achieving permanency. The article discusses how foster parents are there to help children develop stronger connections with their birth family, their resource parent and their family, or other caregivers who plan to parent the child.

Tips on Foster Parent-Birth Parent Coparenting to Promote Reunifications
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau (2020)
Children's Bureau Express, 21(5)
Discusses the key elements of coparenting between foster parents and birth parents with the goal of reunification for children in out-of-home care. The article presents recommendations for foster parents on building relationships with birth parents and how to ensure birth parents feel supported and encouraged in their efforts to reunite with their children.

TYPS Sheet for Foster Families (PDF - 1,490 KB)
Texas Institute for Child and Family Wellbeing & Upbring (2019)
Discusses the relationship youth have with their foster parents and how foster parents can help these youth move through the system successfully and contribute to their well-being.

What Is the Quality Parenting Initiative?
Casey Family Programs (2019)
Explores an approach to strengthening foster care and improving permanency for children based on building relationships. The approach partners foster parents with birth parents to strengthen meaningful connections for children and help them have access to positive experiences that will help them grow.

(Back to Top)

For kinship, guardianship, and adoptive parents

Adoption and Guardianship for Children in Kinship Foster Care (PDF - 9,980 KB)
Generations United & Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (2018)
Provides general information about adoption and guardianship for children in kinship foster care, including how these placements differ and the benefits they have over foster care.

Kinship Care Is Better for Children and Families
Epstein (2017)
Child Law Practice Today, July/August
American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law
Examines efforts to remove barriers related to kinship placements, which allow relatives to care for children and maintain family connections.

TYPS Sheet for Adoptive Parents (PDF - 1,640 KB)
Texas Institute for Child and Family Wellbeing & Upbring (2018)
Highlights the importance of relationships for youth leaving foster care and how these relationships can help youth achieve better outcomes and support their well-being.

(Back to Top)