The Nature of Kinship Care Relationships and Permanency Outcomes for Foster Children

The Nature of Kinship Care Relationships and Permanency Outcomes for Foster Children
Author: Jolynne Batchelor
Publisher:
Total Pages: 71
Release: 2016
Genre: Adoption
ISBN:

In recent history, kinship care has become the preferred alternative for placement of children in foster care as evidenced by its codification in federal and state policies. Though kinship caregivers tend to fare more poorly on socioeconomic factors than traditional foster and adoptive parents, children who experience kinship care tend to experience better safety and permanency than children in nonkin placements. The term "kinship" is most often broadly defined in child welfare and includes a child's blood relatives and others who share no biological ties but have a close psychological relationship with the child. Yet, little is known to date as to whether degree of relatedness of a caregiver makes a difference in outcomes for children in foster care. The purpose of this study, which took place in Texas, was twofold: first, to compare the permanency outcomes of foster children placed with kin caregivers as opposed to foster children placed with nonkin caregivers, and, second, to test if degree of relatedness between children and their caregivers makes a difference in permanency outcomes. Based on an analysis of data from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, results indicated that children in kinship foster care fare better than those in nonkin foster care on permanency measures, while the effect of degree of relatedness on permanency was encouraging but less conclusive. Findings are discussed in relationship to behavioral biology and followed by a discussion of Texas' kinship foster care policies using McPhail's (2003) feminist policy analysis framework.

Permanency Outcomes of Children in Foster Care

Permanency Outcomes of Children in Foster Care
Author: Angela Gaddis
Publisher:
Total Pages: 119
Release: 2010
Genre: Electronic dissertations
ISBN:

This study examined permanency outcomes of children in custody of the Mississippi Department of Families and Children. Outcomes for children who were placed in kinship care were compared with outcomes of children placed in traditional foster care. Secondary data from years 2006-2008 were analyzed. Using a correlational design relying on secondary data, an analysis of the effect of placement type (kinship or nonkinship care) on placement outcome was examined. The outcome variables examined were reunification with parents, adoption, and emancipation or aging out of the system. The degree to which a relationship exists between demographic variables of age, ethnicity, and gender, and the type of placement was also examined. Street level bureaucracy theory provided a framework for the research and an explanation of factors influencing workers' decisions regarding placement for children. These decisions are often influenced by personal discretion, agency policy, and resources. This research provides knowledge addressing the outcomes of children placed in kinship or nonkinship settings that can be used to better inform social workers as they formulate plans of care. Findings of the study show that children in kinship care have higher rates of reunification with parents, but lower rates of adoption and emancipation than children in nonkinship care. Children in kinship care were also found to experience fewer placement disruptions as well as shorter lengths of stay compared to children in nonkinship care. Additional findings suggest different outcomes for African American children in placement when compared to those of other races. The findings of this study can be used to guide policy and practice decisions related to supporting children in kinship and nonkinship placement settings.

Advocating for Children in Foster and Kinship Care

Advocating for Children in Foster and Kinship Care
Author: Mitchell Rosenwald
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Total Pages: 359
Release: 2010
Genre: Family & Relationships
ISBN: 0231146876

This book is the first to provide strategies for effective advocacy and placement within the foster care and kinship care systems. It also takes a rare look at the dynamics of the foster and kinship relationship, not just among children and the agency workers and service providers who intervene on their behalf, but also between children and those who take in and care for them as permanency develops. Drawing on their experience interacting with and writing about the institution of foster care, Mitchell Rosenwald and Beth N. Riley have composed a unique text that helps practitioners, foster parents, and relative caregivers realize successful transitions for youth, especially considering the traumas these children may suffer both before and after placement. Advocating for a child's best interests must begin early and remain consistent throughout assignment and adjustment. For practitioners, Rosenwald and Riley emphasize the best techniques for assessing a family's capabilities and for guiding families through the challenges of foster care. Part one details the steps potential foster parents and kinship caregivers must take, with the assistance of practitioners, to prepare themselves for placement. Part two describes tactics for successful advocacy within the court system, social service agencies, schools, and the medical and mental health establishments. Part three describes how to lobby for change at the agency and legislative levels, as well as within a given community. The authors illustrate recommendations through real-life scenarios and devote an entire chapter to brokering positive partnerships among practitioners, families, and other teams working to protect and transition children.

Kinship Care

Kinship Care
Author: Ramona W. Denby, PhD, MSW, LSW, ACSW
Publisher: Springer Publishing Company
Total Pages: 314
Release: 2015-11-25
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0826125336

Kinship care is one of the most prevalent forms of placement used for maltreated children and youths. This book is the first to provide a systematic and theory-informed approach to preparing caregivers for the vital role they play in the lives of abused and neglected children. It presents a relationship-building framework that can be used to better achieve the three major child welfare goals: (1) protection, (2) permanency, and (3) well-being. Child welfare students and practitioners will learn evidence-based practice and policy strategies that foster attachment, identity, and belongingness in children, enabling the children to reconnect and establish important relationships and social supports that are vital to their development. The text traces the historical development of kinship care and describes the current knowledge base—both theoretical and practical—about this form of child placement. It discusses the political, social, cultural, and economic contexts of kinship care and how policies can be reshaped to better support the kinship paradigm. A variety of options for kinship relationships are explored along with strategies to assure child safety within kinship care. Case examples throughout illustrate the practical application of strategies and policy approaches. Key Features: Describes an evidence-based, relationship-building framework for achieving the major child welfare goals of protection, permanency, and well-being Discusses the history, development, and current state of knowledge about kinship care Addresses varied options for kinship relationships Focuses on strategies to assure child safety within the kinship relationship

Kinship Care

Kinship Care
Author: Rob Geen
Publisher: The Urban Insitute
Total Pages: 308
Release: 2003
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9780877667186

Since the early 1980s, states child welfare agencies' use of relatives as foster parents has grown rapidly, yet little information is available on this practice. This lack of information has made it difficult to evaluate how well kinship care ensures children's safety, promotes permanency in their living situation, and enhances their well-being--three basic goals of the child welfare system. Kinship Care: Making the Most of a Valuable Resource sheds light on this changing issue. Using a study involving focus groups of child welfare workers and kinship caregivers, in addition to interviews with local administrators, advocates, and service providers, the authors describe frontline kinship care practices in today's system. They also examine how and when child welfare agencies use kin as foster parents, how their approach to kinship care differs from traditional foster care, and how kinship care practices vary across states. The book also features the experiences of actual kinship foster parents, their challenges, and their interaction with agencies and the courts. Finally, the book provides recommendations for policy development, worker and caregiver training, and issues for further research.

Accomplishing Permanency: Reunification Pathways and Outcomes for Foster Children

Accomplishing Permanency: Reunification Pathways and Outcomes for Foster Children
Author: Elizabeth Fernandez
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 163
Release: 2012-09-07
Genre: Education
ISBN: 9400750919

Reunification is a primary goal of foster care systems and the most common permanency planning decision. It is defined as the return of children placed in protective care to the home of their birth family and used to describe the act of restoring a child in out-of-home care back to the biological family. Yet reunification decision-making and the process of reintegrating children into birth families remains under researched. This Brief takes a look at family reunification knowledge and research in Australia where there is evidence that most children placed in protective care are eventually reunited with their birth parents. It explores how a knowledge of reunification decision making and outcomes can contribute to strengthening practice and informing policy formulation and program planning in Child Welfare.​

Investigating the Impact of Sibling Foster Care on Placement Stability

Investigating the Impact of Sibling Foster Care on Placement Stability
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 146
Release: 2015
Genre: Brothers and sisters
ISBN:

This dissertation provides additional evidence concerning the protective nature of kinship care and sibling co-placement on reducing the odds of experiencing a foster care placement change, and provides support for practices and policies prioritizing kinship care and the co-placement of siblings when making substitute care placement decisions. Future studies of siblings in foster care should explore the experiences of youth across the different forms of foster care living composition, examine the relationship between placement stability and permanency outcomes, and examine the relationship between placement stability, permanency, and child well-being.

Achieving Permanence for Older Children and Youth in Foster Care

Achieving Permanence for Older Children and Youth in Foster Care
Author: Benjamin Kerman
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Total Pages: 415
Release: 2009-05-12
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 023151932X

Through a novel integration of child welfare data, policy analysis, and evidence-informed youth permanency practice, the essays in this volume show how to achieve and sustain family permanence for older children and youth in foster care. Researchers examine what is known about permanency outcomes for youth in foster care, how the existing knowledge base can be applied to improve these outcomes, and the directions that future research should take to strengthen youth permanence practice and policy. Part 1 examines child welfare data concerning reunification, adoption, and relative custody and guardianship and the implications for practice and policy. Part 2 addresses law, regulation, court reform, and resource allocation as vital components in achieving and sustaining family permanence. Contributors examine the impact of policy change created by court reform and propose new federal and state policy directions. Part 3 outlines a range of practices designed to achieve family permanence for youth in foster care: preserving families through community-based services, reunification, adoption, and custody and guardianship arrangements with relatives. As growing numbers of youth continue to "age out" of foster care without permanent families, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers have increasingly focused on developing evidence-informed policies, practices, services and supports to improve outcomes for youth. Edited by leading professionals in the field, this text recommends the most relevant and effective methods for improving family permanency outcomes for older youth in foster care.

Kinship Foster Care

Kinship Foster Care
Author: Rebecca L. Hegar
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages: 276
Release: 1999
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9780195109405

KINSHIP FOSTER CARE: POLICY, PRACTICE, AND RESEARCH assembles the thinking and research of experts from several professional fields concerning what has become the fastest growing type of substitute care for children in state custody. The editors have contributed the initial and concluding chapters of the book and the lead chapter in each of its three sections.

Seven Core Issues in Adoption and Permanency

Seven Core Issues in Adoption and Permanency
Author: Sharon Roszia
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Total Pages: 474
Release: 2019-07-18
Genre: Family & Relationships
ISBN: 1784509302

Based on a hugely successful US model, the Seven Core Issues in Adoption is the first conceptual framework of its kind to offer a unifying lens that was inclusive of all individuals touched by the adoption experience. The Seven Core Issues are Loss, Rejection, Shame/Guilt, Grief, Identity, Intimacy, and Mastery/Control. The book expands the model to be inclusive of adoption and all forms of permanency: adoption, foster care, kinship care, donor insemination and surrogacy. Attachment and trauma are integrated with the Seven Core Issues model to address and normalize the additional tasks individuals and families will encounter. The book views the Seven Core Issues from a range of perspectives including: multi-racial, LGBTQ, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, African-American, International, openness, search and reunion, and others. This essential guide introduces each Core Issue, its impact on individuals, offering techniques for growth and healing.