You Might be eligible to take care of your kin (without a license)!

Series examines the need for stronger kinship care policies

Family Ties, a new five-part series from the Casey Foundation, examines state-level policies that govern licensing and resources for kinship caregivers — the relatives and close family friends who care for children in a time of need. Federal and state governments are increasingly encouraging child welfare agencies to turn to extended family members for help when children cannot stay with their parents. However, as Family Ties reports, there are inequities and gaps in the assistance and services these agencies make available to kinship caregivers. DOWNLOAD THE FAMILY TIES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 2022, the Casey Foundation asked Child Trends to conduct a national survey of child welfare administrators. It aimed to better understand the policies governing kinship care and the support available to the children and caregivers in these arrangements. The findings compiled and analyzed in the series comprise data from child welfare agencies in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Unlocking Kinship Caregiver Licensing The first report in the Family Ties series, Unlocking Foster Care Licensing for More Kinship Caregivers, highlights key findings related to licensing approval standards for kinship caregivers.   In some states, relatives may begin caring for children before becoming licensed foster parents but may not be considered eligible for foster care maintenance payments. Nearly half of states surveyed reported that they prioritize placements with relatives. However, most state policies dictate eligibility for services and financial assistance based on the caregiver’s licensing classification. Many states provide less access to services as well as lower amounts of financial assistance to unlicensed kinship caregivers. Supporting Unlicensed Caregivers The second brief in the series, Supporting Unlicensed Kinship Caregivers, sheds light on policies affecting financial assistance for kinship caregivers who cannot qualify or choose not to become licensed foster parents.   A federal regulation change in 2023 created new opportunities for states to approve more kin as licensed foster parents and make them eligible for financial assistance and services. As jurisdictions take up these opportunities, policymakers need to understand gaps in resources and how the new federal rule can support unlicensed kinship caregivers. "All children deserve the resources and connections they need to thrive, whether their kinship caregivers are licensed or unlicensed," says Todd Lloyd, senior associate for child welfare policy at the Casey Foundation. “The policy data provide new evidence supporting the call for states to remove barriers to foster parent licensing so more kinship caregivers will receive resources needed for the children in their care." Future Briefs Upcoming briefs in the series will explore:   policies that govern kinship diversion; policies that encourage agencies to engage with kinship caregivers and establish navigator programs; and policies that include the perspectives of kinship care families in designing child welfare system solutions. READ MORE ON KINSHIP CARE

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