12.1 Definition and Purpose
Kinship care is provided by non-related persons with close friendships with the parent and child. Kinship is defined as: Persons not related by blood, marriage or adoption but a close relationship exists between the child and kinship provider. Kinship includes those non-related persons living in one house under one head or management; or non-related persons not living together but whose lives are so intermingled that the relationship appears as one of blood relationship. Examples of non-related persons include godparents, neighbors, teachers, close family friends, and fellow church members.
Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) defines kinship care as "the full-time nurturing and protection of children by kinships, members of their tribes or clans, godparents, stepparents or to whomever a child, child's parents and family members ascribe a family relationship. The relationship should be respected on the basis of individual family and cultural values, and cultural or emotional ties."
Kinship care is the least restrictive family-like setting for children requiring out-of-home placement. Children have the opportunity for continued family relationships and contact with persons, groups and institutions they were involved with while living with their parents. Kinship care reinforces the social status that comes from belonging to a family of one's own and the sense of identity and self-esteem that is inherent in knowing one's family history and culture.
Regardless of which of the five permanency options; Reunification, Adoption, Guardianship, Placement with Fit and Willing Relative, or Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement (APPLA), is being considered for a child, kinship care is the placement of preference and should, if at all possible, be pursued prior to making any other out-of-home placement, unless a court determines that placing a child with a relative is not in the best interest of that child(ren). Court must make specific findings on the record detailing why placement with a relative is not in the best interest of the child. If placement with a Fit and Willing Relative is the permanency option, the kinship placement provider would obviously be a blood relative of the child. If APPLA is the permanency option, the kinship placement provider may be a non-related person.
When out-of-home care is imminent, the Children’s Service Worker should ask the parent and child to identify potential kinship providers. After removal of a child from his/her home, a list of potential kinship providers should be obtained from the parents at the 72-hour Family Support Team meeting. This list and efforts to locate kin should also be documented in the assessment and treatment section of the case record and in Section III of the CS-1.
Factors to consider in identifying potential kinship care providers are as follows:
- Who would the parent and child most want to care for the child;
- Who do parent and child most often turn to in time of crisis;
- Who has cared for the child in the past when parents were unable to; and
- Who does child have a close relationship with?
Note: 210.565.4 Specifies that the age of the child’s relatives, shall not be the only factor taken into consideration in placement decision recommendations to the court about placing the child with a relative.
After identifying a potential kinship care provider, the Children’s Service Worker should ask the family to describe the relationship with that individual/family, to include the following:
- Kin's relationship to the child and length of involvement with the family;
- Description of the kin's involvement with the family, i.e., provided care for the child and/or parent, assisted the family through crisis, provided moral support, member of church or community organization, neighbor, etc.; and
- Whether the kin ever resided in the home with the parent or child and, if so, how long and when.
Chapter Memoranda History: (prior to 1/31/07)
CS03-32, CD04-79, CD05-80, CD06-37, CD06-46, CD06-75