A recent survey conducted by Child Trends for the Annie E. Casey Foundation sheds light on the evolving landscape of kinship care policies across states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. To be released in a five-part series of briefs throughout early 2024, the survey reveals increasing efforts by jurisdictions to promote kinship care and support caregivers involved with the child welfare system. In 2022, Child Trends surveyed state child welfare administrators from 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, with 46 completing the survey.
This executive summary offers survey highlights, including the five policy areas the series will examine, general trends in policy content and implementation, and recommendations for policymakers. The survey’s recommendations focus on increased investment, data collection, and input from families with lived experience, as well as tools to help implement the new federal rule on kin-specific licensing.