Kinship Care
Historically, extended family has played a role in caring for children whose parents were unable to do so. Kinship care can be either a formal situation or an informal agreement. Informal kinship care arrangements occur without the involvement of the Department of Health and Human Resources. Formal kinship care is defined as relatives acting as certified foster parents for children in the custody of the state. When children are removed from their homes by the child welfare system because of abuse and/or neglect, kin are given preference as the first placement choice when foster care is needed and relatives can provide a safe, stable home as defined by foster care policy.
Across the nation almost two million children are cared for by relatives. Relatives who take on this job often need help meeting the needs of children including the legal, financial, medical, educational, and emotional issues that come with this new role.
Before accepting the responsibility of caring for a relative child, the following issues should be considered.
- Are you and your family ready to make the changes necessary to take on the added responsibility of caring for a relative child?
- What is your emotional relationship with the child's parents?
- How much care will the child require?
- Are family members supportive and willing to help care for the child?
- Will you be able to take time away from work or other responsibilities for an adjustment period?
- How do family members feel about this change?
- Are you able to bear the cost of caring for another child?
- How do you feel about the child's birth parents?
- Are you prepared to deal with problems the child may have due to past experiences?
- What are your expectations of the situation?
- Are you physically able to care for the child?
- What services are available to help you?
- Will the child e able to stay in contact with friends and other relatives?
- Do other relatives want to care for this child?
To obtain services for a child you are providing care for, you will need to have the following documents and records:
- Birth Certificate - original
- Social Security Card - original
- Signed custody papers - notarized
- Shot records
- School records
- Medical records
- Dental records
