It’s Time to Make Older Child Adoption Reality
The number of youth who age out of foster care has risen steadily over the past decade, even in the wake of increased efforts to achieve permanence for all children in foster care. For far too many youth, aging out of care results in homelessness, work instability, and a lack of stable, loving relationships with… [read more]
Kinship Adoption – Meeting the Unique Needs of a Growing Population
Every year, more and more children in foster care find permanent homes with relatives when they cannot return to live with their parents. Most children will find permanent homes through relative adoption, which continued to increase throughout the decade. In 2000, 21 percent of the children adopted from foster care were adopted by relatives. By… [read more]
Kinship Care Best Practice Guidance
As the number of children in kinship care increase child welfare agencies are seeking policies, programs and practice guidance to help develop and implement effective kinship care policies and programs. Child welfare agencies are taking a new look at the nature of kinship care, the role of kinship care as a child welfare service, and… [read more]
Kinship Care May 2004
Definition and Incidence Kinship care is a living arrangement in which a relative or another person who is emotionally close to a child takes on primary responsibility for raising that child (Leos- Urbel, Bess, & Geen, 1999). According to the 2000 U.S. Census, nationally, there are 4.5 million children under the age of 18 living… [read more]
Kinship Foster Care
There is a growing consensus that group care is not beneficial for children except in time-limited therapeutic settings to meet specific treatment needs. Unfortunately, most communities lack a robust network of foster family homes. Given this reality, many child welfare agencies are redoubling their efforts to identify and engage kin as foster parents. Despite the… [read more]
Kinship Legal Guardianship – A Permanency Option in DCP&P Cases
The state Division of Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P), formerly known as the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS), has placed a child in your home. You may be related to the child, a close friend of the family or perhaps the child has been in your home for a long time. Your CP&P… [read more]
Kinship Legal Guardianship Pro Se Manual
Kinship Legal Guardianship Pro Se Manual Is the child of a relative or close friend living in your home? Has the child been living with you for more than the last 12 months? Is this arrangement likely to continue? Do the parents have serious problems that prevent them from caring for their child? Are you… [read more]
Kinship Legal Guardianship:
The kinship legal guardian is one who has made a commitment to and has the ability to raise the child to adulthood, evidenced by the fact that the child has been in their home for a least one year. He/she can be a close family friend or have a legal or biological relationship to the… [read more]
Knowing the Numbers: Accessing and Using Child Welfare Data
Data can be an incredibly powerful tool for child welfare advocates, policymakers, and program administrators in their work to improve the lives of vulnerable children and families. From identifying target population characteristics and needs, to documenting program or service outcomes, to assessing a policy’s effect, using data to inform efforts to help children and families… [read more]
Legal and Custody Help for Grandparents Raising Grandkids
If you’re a grandparent raising grandchildren, there are many practical issues to consider—including legal, financial, and caregiving support. Learn what help is available for parenting the second time around.