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This edition of CBX spotlights kinship care and the importance of helping kin caregivers find the resources and supports they need to help the children in their care thrive. We feature a message from Commissioner Rebecca Jones Gaston about some recent policy and guidance "wins" that support kinship caregivers. In honor of Child Welfare Workforce Month, we also provide resources related to supporting the well-being of the child welfare professionals who work so diligently to improve the outcomes of others. Additionally, this issue includes valuable resources for professionals and the families they serve.
Children and youth belong with their families in their communities. A kin-first culture is one that believes in families, fights against family separation, and works toward a more equitable child and family well-being system. When family separation cannot be prevented, placing children and youth with kin should be prioritized over nonrelative foster care to help maintain family bonds and protect cultural identity and community connections.
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Child Trends recently released results from a comprehensive survey of kinship care policies conducted in 2022 for the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The survey's findings highlight increasing efforts by states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to promote kinship care and support kin caregivers of children and youth involved with the child welfare system. A five-part series of briefs, which is being released throughout 2024, delves into the details of the survey findings, offering valuable insights and analysis on kinship care policies across the United States.
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The Children's Bureau released a tip sheet for state child welfare agencies and kinship navigator programs focusing on supporting adult sibling caregivers. These caregivers take on the responsibility of raising their younger siblings, either through the foster care system or informal kinship care arrangements. This guide serves as a foundational tool for states to develop their own comprehensive support guides tailored to the unique needs of adult sibling caregivers.
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When a child enters the child welfare system, kin can provide a great source of comfort for both children and their parents. Family connections contribute significantly to the development and identity of children, helping them grow and thrive. Research confirms that living with relatives is better for children, reducing the trauma related to separation from parents and preserving cultural identity and community connections. Kin caregivers also provide higher levels of permanency, and children experience less foster care reentry when living with kin.
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The Bipartisan Policy Center posted a recording of its webinar "Bipartisan Policy Discussion on Kinship Placements to Avoid Foster Care," which addresses the prioritization of kinship placements when children need to be separated from their parents and placed in foster care. This hour-long webinar features an expert panel discussing appropriate policies and practices for situations where relatives or other kin care for children and prevent state custody.
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