Members of Tribal communities have elders and extended family including aunts, uncles, and multiple grandparents to help support and guide their young children and families. Find resources on kinship care related to working with American Indian/Alaska Native children and families.
American Indian & Alaska Native Grandfamilies: Helping Children Thrive Through Connection to Family and Cultural Identity
Generations United and National Indian Child Welfare Association (2020)
Offers resources and tips to child welfare agencies, other government agencies, and nonprofit organizations so they can better serve all American Indian and Alaska Native grandfamilies regardless of child welfare involvement.
Assessing Adult Relatives as Preferred Caregivers in Permanency Planning: A Competency-Based Curriculum (PDF - 312 KB)
National Resource Center for Foster Care and Permanency Planning (2002)
Describes the educational and administrative support social workers need to identify and assess relatives to consider as first placement resources for children.
In Consideration of the Needs of Our Most Loving of Caregivers: Grandparenting Experiences in Manitoba First Nation Communities (PDF - 932 KB)
Eni, Harvey, & Phillips-Beck (2009)
First Peoples Child & Family Review, 4(2)
Presents results from a study examining grandparenting relationships and the cultural roles grandmothers play in First Nations communities in Manitoba, Canada.
The Indian Child Welfare Act for Kin Caregivers and Foster Parents (PDF - 245 KB)
Judicial Council of California (2017)
Explains the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), the rights of children and families covered under ICWA, and how foster or kinship caregivers can work with those families.
Needs and Issues of Latino and Native American Nonparental Relative Caregivers: Strengths and Challenges Within a Cultural Context
Kopera-Frye (2009)
Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 37(3)
View Abstract
Discusses the results of a study examining the needs and issues facing Latino and Native American custodial grandparents and other relatives providing kinship care.
Resources for Grandparents: Targeted Resources for Tribal Child Welfare (PDF - 75 KB)
Tribal Information Exchange (2017)
Provides resources and other important information for grandparents and other kinship caregivers.
Resources for Native Grandparents (PDF - 129 KB)
Capacity Building Center for Tribes (2017)
Provides targeted resources from the field related to resources and supports for Native American grandparents.