For Relative/Kinship Caregivers

Resources and information written for relatives and kinship caregivers to help them care for their relatives' children, including State and local examples.

Grandfacts: State Fact Sheets for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children
AARP, Brookdale Foundation Group, Casey Family Programs, Child Welfare League of America, Children's Defense Fund, & Generations United (2011)
Includes State data factsheets on the number of grandparent caregivers; listings of local programs, resources, and services; State laws and policies for kinship caregivers; information about key public benefit programs; and national organizations that may be of help.

Grandfamilies State Law and Policy Resource Center
Casey Family Programs, American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law, & Generations United (2012)
Presents a searchable database of current State laws and pending legislation in support of grandfamilies, and assists policymakers in exploring policy options to support relatives and the children in their care both inside and outside of the child welfare system.

The Grandkin’s Guide: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for Relatives Raising (PDF - 544 KB)
National Kinship Alliance for Children (2013)
Explores what to expect when asked to care for relative children. Understand kinship care and the different types of kinship care, see how the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program can help, and the choices relatives may have when asked by child welfare agencies to care for related children.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Resources
USA.gov
A collection of resources for grandparents, including information on benefits and assistance, health and safety, and State-specific information.

How the Child Welfare System Works

Series Title	Factsheets
Author(s)	Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability	View Download (PDF - 393KB) Order (Free)
Disponibilidad	Ver Versión para imprimir (PDF - 397KB) Ordene (Gratis)
Year Published	2013

Provides an overview of the purposes and functions of child welfare systems. It explains what happens when abuse or neglect are reported, how those reports are processed, and what happens to the adults and children who are involved in the child welfare system. A flowchart illustrates how cases may move through the child welfare system.

Kinship Caregivers and the Child Welfare System

Series Title	Factsheets for Families
Author(s)	Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability	View Download (PDF - 575KB) Order (Free)
Disponibilidad	Ver Versión para imprimir (PDF - 580KB)
Year Published	2016

Discusses issues of interest to the growing number of grandparents and other relatives caring for children whose own parents are unable to care for them. Sometimes, the arrangement (referred to as "kinship care") is an informal, private arrangement between the parents and relative caregivers; in other situations, the local child welfare agency is involved. This factsheet is designed to help kinship caregivers--including grandparents, aunts and uncles, other relatives, and family friends caring for children--work effectively with the child welfare system. Resources, such as links to more detailed information or places to find help, are included.

One of the Family : A Handbook for Kinship Carers

Argent (2005)

View Abstract

Discusses benefits of kinship care, the needs of children in kinship care, considerations when deciding to provide kinship care, challenges of becoming a new parent or adding on to an existing family, and support services available to kinship care providers.

The GrandKin Guide: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for Relatives Raising Children (PDF - 543 KB)
National Kinship Alliance for Children (2013)
Explains what extended families can expect when asked to care for children by defining kinship care and different types of kinship care; explaining the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program; and discussing choices relatives have when asked by child welfare agencies to care for their related child.

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State and local examples

Adoption, Foster Care, and other Child Related Issues
USA.gov
Explains the Federal and State benefits and resources available to adoptive, foster, and kinship caregivers.

Home Study Requirements for Prospective Foster Parents

Series Title	State Statutes
Author(s)	Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability	View Download (PDF - 1,593KB)
Year Published	2018

Discusses State laws and policies for licensing or approving family foster homes. A licensed family is one that is approved by the State to provide care for children and that meets basic standards of safety and is able to provide a healthy and nurturing home environment. The topics discussed include training requirements, the process for approving homes, grounds for not approving homes, kinship placements, adopting from foster care, and interjurisdictional placements. Summaries of laws and policies for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Kinship Children in New York State (PDF - 257 KB)
New York State Council on Children and Families (2012)
Discusses the different types of kinship care and highlights the benefits of each, in addition to exploring the financial, legal, and emotional challenges faced by kinship caregivers. The factsheet also outlines the benefits of the Kinship Guardianship Assistance program and links to the Kinship Navigator, an information and referral resource

Kinship Manual (PDF - 2,917 KB)
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Handbook for relatives providing foster care for children in Texas. Also available in Spanish (PDF - 3,000 KB).

Texas Kincare Primer (PDF - 1,587 KB)
Texas Legal Services Center, Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, & Texas Kincare Taskforce (2013)
Provides Texas kinship caregivers with information on caregiver rights and responsibilities, including documents kinship families may need in seeking services, legal resources, State and Federal public benefits for kincare families, power of attorney, and early childhood intervention services.

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