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Kinship Care
What is Kinship Care?
Kinship care is a form of foster care where relatives and non-related kin provide loving homes for children when their birth parents are unable to care for them. When a child enters foster care, finding caring relatives or non-related kin, such as teachers or neighbors, is a top priority for KVC.
The ultimate goal of foster care is safe family reunification and kinship care can help families come back together sooner. Studies show that children in kinship care were able to return safely home an average of seven months earlier than those in traditional foster homes.
“KVC digs deep into the family tree and tries to contact anyone for possible placement,” shares Kimberly Smith, LPC, KVC Director of Kinship. “Kinship care can be more like building a family forest than a family tree.”
Kinship care helps children maintain connections to their roots and receive the support and love of their extended family. It also aims to be less traumatic for children because they already have a pre-existing relationship with the caregiver.
How to Become a Kinship Caregiver
Becoming a kinship caregiver is an honor, and KVC is privileged to provide any help, support and guidance needed.
Caring for a relative or someone you know who is in foster care is a big responsibility and you don’t have to do it alone. Learning how to become a kinship or relative caregiver is the next step to ensure you have the support, financial assistance and resources you need to care for a child or teen.
Learn More About Becoming a Kinship Caregiver
Kinship Care FAQs
Kinship care helps maintain the child’s connection to their normal surroundings — both family and community. It can help create more stability during a difficult time.
Not always. Some kinship caregivers provide care without becoming licensed. Others may choose to pursue licensure to access additional support and resources.
Timing and next steps depend on the child’s circumstances, safety requirements and approval processes.
No. Many kinship caregivers rent, live in apartments or have other living arrangements. What matters most is whether the environment can safely support the child’s needs.
Depending on the state or specific circumstances, the requirements may vary; however, we’ve compiled a list of the most common foster and kinship care requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age
- Meet basic income guidelines
- Provide adequate space and a personal bed for each child
- Maintain reliable transportation
- Complete 30 hours of free foster parent training
- Complete background checks per the federal Adam Walsh Act
- Maintaining connections to their cultural heritage
- Encouraging parental involvement
- Faster safe family reunification
- Overall healthier outcomes