What is Kinship Care? (& Resources You Should Be Aware Of)
34% of children in the U.S. foster care system are placed with a relative (The AFCARS Report, 2022), which is known as kinship care. While this type of care is an effective and valuable way to place children experiencing foster care with someone they have trust and connection with, it can be a complex role to navigate.
Too often, kinship caregivers end up feeling overwhelmed and under-resourced.
Whether you’re a family member caring for a child in foster care or just someone who is new to the concept of kinship care, learning the ins and outs of this form of foster care can empower you to better support those in need.
Defining Kinship Care
Kinship care occurs when extended relatives, such as grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins, and even close friends (referred to as “fictive kin”) provide homes for children who have been separated from their birth parents.
This is a crucial—and often preferred—solution in foster care, as it helps children experience a smoother transition and can often protect them from major disruptions to their familiar routine, such as changing schools.
While any removal from a home brings uncertainty and loss, kinship care offers the hope that a child’s relatives will be best equipped to foster healing through love, support, and a safe environment.
To see a real-life example of kinship care in action, take a look at how the Edwards Family opened their hearts and their home:
The 4 Types of Kinship Care
In the state of Texas, kinship care falls into four main categories: informal kinship care, voluntary kinship care, formal kinship care, and verified formal kinship care.
Each of these types vary when it comes to factors such as CPS involvement, length of care, financial aid, and more. The chart below showcases some of the main differences between these four kinds of kinship care:
The majority of children in kinship care are in an informal placement, which means that their caregivers do not receive assistance from the state nor do they have official custody of the child.
When combined with the already steep learning curves of welcoming a child into their home and navigating the foster care licensing process, these challenges can easily feel overwhelming to even the most dedicated relatives.
What are the Typical Outcomes for Kinship Care?
For a child placed in kinship care, there are several potential paths forward depending on their unique situation.
The first option is reunification with their birth parents. In any foster care placement, this is the primary goal whenever possible.
Another possible outcome is adoption. The kinship family may decide to extend their arrangement and care for the child permanently. If this adoption stems from a verified formal kinship care placement, the child could be eligible to receive college tuition assistance, state-funded mental health support, and more.
In other cases, a kinship family may be awarded Permanent Managing Conservatorship (PMC). In these situations, a judge appoints the relative or fictive kin to be legally responsible for the child without adopting them. If PMC stems from a verified formal kinship care placement, the child could also be eligible for benefits in the future. This is referred to as PMC with PCA (Permanency Care Assistance).
Resources for Kinship Families
Too often, potential or current kinship families miss out on key resources, assistance, and answers simply because they are unaware that this support exists or they can’t access resources without becoming a licensed foster family.
That’s why, to help caregivers navigate this complex process, we’ve created additional resources specifically for Kinship Family Support:
Kinship caregivers provide a vital source of safety and permanency for children. However, just like other foster families, kinship families need support from friends, relatives, and community members who are willing to walk alongside them in order to be successful.
If you are stepping into the role of a kinship caregiver, or are supporting someone who is, we’re here to help connect you to local resources available in the Houston area. If you know someone who is already stepping in as a kinship caregiver or considering it, you can support them by taking Babysitter Training, bringing them a meal, encouraging them, and so much more.
If you think your place along the River may include kinship care, don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions. We’re here to help!
