4.4 Placement Options
After thoroughly assessing the needs of the child, the Children’s Service Worker must carefully explore the capacity and skills of available placement providers and their ability to meet the child's needs and facilitate the desired outcome. The following is a list of possible placement resources to be considered for a child:
4.4.1 Kinship Care
Kinship care is full-time nurturing and protection of children by persons not related by blood, marriage or adoption but a close relationship exists between the child and kinship provider. The relationship should be respected on the basis of individual, family and cultural values, and emotional ties. The Children’s Division must license individuals interested in providing kinship care. However, a child may be placed with a kinship caregiver pending licensure, and when ordered by the court. Kinship care may be appropriate if the kinship or friend is able to:
- Meet the safety, protection, developmental, cultural and permanency needs of the child;
- Maintain or rebuild parent-child relationships, and help parents stay connected with their children if not regain full-time care and custody;
- Ensure permanency for children with their families; and
- Minimize the loss of family and family history.
Chapter Memoranda History: (prior to 1/31/07)
CS03-12, CS03-21, CS03-27, CD04-79, CD05-80, CD06-16, CD06-50