Resource Library

Brings attention to the distinctive needs of children adopted by their relatives, focusing on the increasing prevelance of kinship adoption compared to traditional foster parent adoption.

Disucsses the importance of kinship care being seen as both a prevention resource as well as an intervention for children, with a focus on how outcomes for kinship families can be improved.

Assists child welfare professionals in helping kin caregivers collaborate effectively with the child welfare system.

Outlines research indicating that kinship care minimizes trauma for children, enhances their well-being, increases permanency, improves behavioral and mental health outcomes, promotes sibling ties, supports older youth, and preserves cultural identity and community connections.

Provides a national overview of caregiving options for kinship families and helping them make informed decisions. It highlights the benefits of kinship care, legal and support considerations as well as resources and programs for kin caregivers.

Supports professionals aiding kinship families in assessing caregiving options inside and outside the child welfare system. This report provides an extensive nationwide perspective on various legal options and other factors to help caregivers make well-informed decisions regarding their caregiving pathway.

Examines the laws and policies of states that permit a family member of an individual closely associated with a child in out-of-home care to assume the child’s permanent guardian role.

Discusses promising practices in Kinship across the nation that has led to improved outcomes for children in care. This article highlights creating a kin-first culture within the child welfare system that prioritizes kinship placements. This article goes on to highlight promising practices in New York, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Missouri related to having dedicated kinship staff and the implementation of extensive family-finding programs. It also discusses the financial assistance available to kinship caregivers including subsidies, TANF grants, and licensing financial assistance.

Presents standards related to ensuring that agency services are accessible to individuals who do not speak English, including information about marketing materials, use of interpreters, and staff training.

Evaluates a pilot program implementing Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) among a sample child welfare staff working across eight organizations in order to 1) describe the first year of implementation and 2) examine staff and organizational change.