Kinship Resources

What is Kinship Care?

A number of grandparents and other relatives (including aunts, uncles, older siblings and great-grandparents) find themselves serving as parents for children whose own parents are unable to care for them. Sometimes, the arrangement (referred to as "kinship care") is an informal, private arrangement between the parents and relative caregivers; in other situations, the Department of Human Services is involved. Kinship care can also include non-relatives such as godparents, stepparents, family-friends or any adult who has a kinship bond with a child.

Facts about Kinship Care

  • 2.7 million children (4%) of all U.S. children are being raised in kinship care situations.
  • Children placed with relatives make up over a quarter (26%) of all children in the foster care system.

Crisis / Referral Help Phone Numbers

Other Kinship Links / Resources

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