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For Relative/Kinship Caregivers
Resources and information written for relatives and kinship caregivers to help them care for their relatives' children, including State and local examples.
AARP Grandparent Information Center
A variety of resources for grandparents, including information for grandparents raising grandchildren.
A Family's Guide to the Child Welfare System (PDF - 847 KB)
National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health, Center for Child and Human Development, American Institutes of Research, Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health (Program), Child Welfare League of America, and National Indian Child Welfare Association (2003)
A guide for families in the child welfare system, including experiences of other families, laws and policies, and how to advocate for a family's rights. Also available in Spanish: Guía Para la Familia Sobre el Sistema de Bienestar Infantil (PDF - 889 KB)
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Legal and Policy Challenges
Targ, Brintnall-Peterson, & Haselow-Dulin (2003)
View Abstract
A video-based program designed for grandparents who are raising grandchildren, other relatives who are raising kin, and the professionals who work with them.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Resources
USA.gov
A collection of resources for grandparents, including information on benefits and assistance, health and safety, and State-specific information.
How the Child Welfare System Works | |
Series Title: | Factsheets |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 565KB) Order (Free) - Add to Cart |
Year Published: | 2012 - 9 pages |
Provides an overview of the purposes and functions of child welfare systems. It explains what happens when abuse or neglect are reported, how those reports are processed, and what happens to the adults and children who are involved in the child welfare system. A flowchart illustrates how cases may move through the child welfare system. |
Kinship/Relative Care | |
Series Title: | Related Organizations Lists |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 0KB) |
Year Published: | 2011 - 5 pages |
Organizations that provide information and resources for kinship and relative care providers. |
Kinship Caregivers and the Child Welfare System | |
Series Title: | Factsheets for Families |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 335KB) Order (Free) - Add to Cart |
Year Published: | 2010 - 15 pages |
Informal and formal kinship care arrangements help to ensure stability and protection for children within their extended family. This fact sheet describes the benefits of kinship care as a child protection alternative and examines the agency's responsibility for the placement. The placement decision-making process, what to expect from the child welfare service and court system, and financial support, available services, and permanency planning are discussed. Questions for new kin caregivers to ask and a list of additional references are provided. |
Legal Issues in Caring for Your Grandchildren (PDF - 95 KB)
University of Georgia, College of Family and Consumer Sciences (2003)
A brief introduction to the legal system as it applies to grandparents caring for their grandchildren.
One of the Family: A Handbook for Kinship Carers
Argent (2005)
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Discusses benefits of kinship care, the needs of children in kinship care, considerations when deciding to provide kinship care, challenges of becoming a new parent or adding on to an existing family, and support services available to kinship care providers.
State Fact Sheets for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children
Children's Defense Fund
Factsheets include data on the number of grandparent caregivers; listings of local programs, resources, and services; State laws and policies for kinship caregivers; information about key public benefit programs; and national organizations that may be of help.
State and local examples
Caring Connections: A Practical Guide for Kinship Families
Child Welfare League of America (2000)
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Reviews the approval process for kinship family homes; the types of available support; and the roles of the Philadelphia Department of Human Services, the private child welfare agency, and the court in the decision to place children with relatives.
Help for Grandparent Caregivers
Grandparent Caregiver Law Center (2003)
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Provides an overview of New York State laws regarding kinship care, guardianship, and adoption and describes assistance programs, such as the Family Assistance Program, food stamp program, Medicaid, and Child/Teen Health Program.
Home Study Requirements for Prospective Foster Parents | |
Series Title: | State Statutes |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway. |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 1,050KB) |
Year Published: | 2011 - 174 pages |
Presents State laws and policies for licensing or approving family foster homes, including laws about standards, the approval process, kinship foster care, and interjurisdictional approval. A licensed family is one that is approved by the State to provide care for children and that meets basic standards of safety set by law and regulation. These standards reduce predictable risks to the health, safety, and well-being of children in out-of-home care. The laws presented are current through October 2010. |
Kinship Care Legal Handbook
Florida Kinship Center (2004)
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Information about legal issues and services available to people who are caring for the children of relatives in Florida.
Kinship Manual (PDF - 4120 KB)
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Handbook for relatives providing foster care for children in Texas.