Series Title: State Statutes
Author(s): Child Welfare Information Gateway
Year Published: 2019
Current Through: July 2018
To access the statutes for a specific State or territory, visit the State Statutes Search.
This publication reviews State laws and policies that allow a family member or other person with close ties to a child who has been placed in out-of-home care to become that's child's permanent guardian. Guardianship has emerged as a permanency option for a child who has been placed in out-of-home care as it creates a legal relationship between a child and caregiver that is intended to be permanent and self-sustaining and can provide a permanent family for the child without the necessity of terminating the parents' parental rights. The child is able to maintain family connections while gaining the stability of a permanent home with a relative caregiver who has demonstrated a commitment to caring for the child. A guardian's rights and duties, approving a guardianship home, modifying or revoking a guardianship, and kinship guardianship assistance are among the issues addressed.
Suggested Citation: Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2019). Kinship guardianship as a permanency option. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Bureau.
This publication is a product of the State Statutes Series prepared by Child Welfare Information Gateway. While every attempt has been made to be as complete as possible, additional information on these topics may be in other sections of a State's code as well as agency regulations, case law, and informal practices and procedures.
This material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child Welfare Information Gateway.