As a kin caregiver, you play an important role in the child welfare system by helping support the family connections that are essential to a child’s health and well-being. Because kin caregivers must navigate the often-blurred line between being a family member and assuming responsibility for a relative’s children, misunderstandings may arise as they strive to adhere to court orders and agency rules. Partnerships between caregivers and parents that include clear goals and expectations are essential for promoting family reunification.
Child Welfare Information Gateway conducted interviews with parents and relative caregivers involved in kinship care arrangements. This factsheet shares their experiences and advice to highlight the dynamics and steps that can support reunification. Interviewees’ names have been changed to protect their identities.
Informal vs. Formal Kinship Care
If you are caring for a relative’s child who is not in foster care, you are an informal kin caregiver. Even if the parents have initiated your involvement, without legal custody, you likely will face challenges seeking medical or mental health care for the child, and you may be unable to enroll the child in school or educational programs without parental consent. In cases of informal kinship care, reunification may or may not be the goal. If you are caring for a relative’s child who has been placed in foster care, you are considered a formal kinship foster parent. In most cases of formal kinship care, reunification is the primary goal. As a kinship foster parent, you will be required to work with your local or State child welfare agency to meet the child’s needs and support the agency’s efforts to reunify the child with their parents. Learn more on Information Gateway’s Kinship Care webpage.
Maintaining Connections and Minimizing Trauma
All children belong with their families, and family separation is a traumatic experience for children and parents. Because of its many benefits, including minimized trauma, increased stability, and improved overall well-being, kinship care is the preferred option for children who enter foster care. When children can be cared for by relatives, they have the chance to learn about their family’s history and traditions, which helps preserve family bonds and their sense of identity.
Being cared for by a family member can create a sense of belonging for a child and provide comfort for parents since the child is not with strangers. This helps create a safe space while parents connect to the tailored, concrete supports they need to thrive. Parents may also feel more encouraged to work toward reunification with the support of family members. In many cases, kinship care provides children with an opportunity to maintain their usual routines in a familiar community environment. Children living with relatives may be able to remain in the same school, participate in the same extracurricular activities, and keep connections to their friends. This reduces stress for children as their everyday routines are less disrupted.