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
Grandfamilies.org
Provides State-specific fact sheets, including information on kinship caregiver data, State programs and local resources, public benefits, educational assistance, legal information, and State laws. The website also includes national information along with resources for Washington, D.C.

Grandfamilies.org
Serves as a national legal resource in support of grandfamilies within and outside of the child welfare system. The organization works to educate individuals about State laws, legislation, and policy in support of grandfamilies and assist policymakers, advocates, caregivers, and others.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
HelpGuide.org (2018)
Provides information for grandparents and other kinship caregivers including resources on feelings, self-care, support, focusing on creating a stable environment, communication, parental visits, and more.

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)
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Versión para imprimir (PDF - 717KB)
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.

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State and local examples

A Guide to Kinship Care (PDF - 3,195 KB)
Franklin County Children Services (2015)
Provides a guide for grandparents and other relatives providing kinship care in Franklin County, Ohio with information on topics such as legal issues, home study, school information, and additional resources for kinship families.

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.

Kinship Caregivers Guide: A Guide for Adults Who Are Caring for the Children of Relatives or Family Friends (PDF - 1,249 KB)
Vermont Department for Children & Families (2017)
Provides information for kinship caregivers in Vermont on programs and services available to help kinship families, legal issues, and resources that can be of assistance.

Kinship Resources
Lists resources that can assist kinship caregivers, such as grandparents raising their grandchildren, young adults raising younger siblings, and all forms of kinship families. The site also links to national organizations with information on kinship care.

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). 

Resource Parent Handbook: A Guide for Foster and Kinship Caregivers (PDF - 3,011 KB)
Philadelphia Department of Human Services (2015)
Discusses kinship care and topics relating to the roles and responsibilities of resource parents, supporting children, permanency issues, and more.

State Guides and Manuals Results Kinship Care for Relatives and Kin
Links to State publications that describe child welfare services and provide guidance to child welfare professionals and families.

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