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ChildFocus®March2010 1
Kinship Adoption: Meeting the Unique Needs of a Growing Population
IntroductionEveryyear,moreandmorechildreninfostercarefindpermanenthomeswithrelativeswhentheycannotreturntolivewiththeirparents.Mostchildrenwillfindpermanenthomesthroughrelativeadoption,whichcontinuedtoincreasethroughoutthedecade.In2000,21percentofthechildrenadoptedfromfostercarewereadoptedbyrelatives.By2007,relativeadoptionsfromfostercareaccountedfor28percentofthechildrenexitingfostercare.Preliminaryestimatesfor2008showacontinuedincreaseto30percent,or16,749children(http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/stats_research/index.htm). In some states, the number of children receiving adoption assistance has surpassed the number of children receiving foster care maintenance payments. Theincreasingshifttopermanencywithrelativesforchildrenwhocannotreturnhomerequiresthoughtfulresponsesbychildwelfarepractitioners,policymakers,andresearchers.Kinshipadoptioncanbeapowerfulandpositiveexperienceforchildrenandtheircaregivers.However,itismostlikelytosucceedwhenfamilieshaveanopportunitytoaddresstheuniquefamilydynamicsthatariseasaresultoftheadoptionandtocometotermswiththeexperiencesofchildrenbeforetheycameintocare.ArenewedfocusonkinshipadoptionisparticularlyimportantgiventhenewoptionundertheFosteringConnectionstoSuccessandIncreasingAdoptionsAct(FosteringConnections)forstatestoprovidefederalguardianshipassistanceforchildrenwhenreturninghomeandadoptionarenotappropriate.Expandedavailabilityofsubsidizedguardianshipfurtherreinforcestheneedforkinshipfamiliestounderstandthatadoptionisnotonlypossible,butinsomecasespreferableandmorelegallysecurethanguardianship.Thisissuebriefdrawsattentiontotheuniqueneedsofchildrenwhoareadoptedbytheirrelatives.Specifically,itaddressesthefollowingquestions:
• Whyiskinshipadoptionontherise?• Howdoeskinshipadoptiondifferfromotheradoptions?• Whatpoliciesandpracticescanagenciesconsidertoachievesuccessful
kinshipadoptions?
FromtheAutomatedFosterCare
andAdoptionReportSystem,DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices
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Why Is Kinship Adoption on the Rise? Kinshipadoptionisontheriseformanyreasons,including
• increasedunderstandingofthebenefitsofkinshipcareforchildren,• stateandfederalpreferencesforkinshipcare,• agencypracticesthatplacelargenumbersofchildrenwithkinasameansof
movingthemoutoffostercare,and• arecognitionthatrelativeswilladopt.
IncreasedrecognitionthatkinshipcareisgoodforchildrenThebenefitsofkinshipcareovertraditionalfostercarearewellestablished.Kinshipcareismorelikelythantraditionalfostercareto:
• reducethestigmaandtraumaofseparationfromparentsandfamily,• resultinplacementwithandconnectionstosiblingsandparents,• respectfamilyculturaltraditions,• beastableplacement,and• resultinfewerbehavioral,educationalandmentalhealthproblems
(foranoverviewofthebenefitsofkinshipcare,seehttp://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/0347.pdf).
StateandfederalpreferencesforkinshipcareInrecognitionofthesebenefits,stateandfederallawhasreinforcedtheimportanceofkinshipcareforthreedecades.In1980,theAdoptionAssistanceandChildWelfareActaffirmedapreferenceforrelativeplacementwhenchildrenaretakenintostatecustody.ThispreferencewasfurtherstrengthenedinthePersonalResponsibilityandWorkOpportunityReconciliationActof1996andtheAdoptionandSafeFamiliesActof1997.Statelawhasfollowedsuitbysupportingapreferenceforrelativeplacement,aswellasadiligentsearchforrelativeswhenchildrenarefirsttakenintostatecustody(foranoverviewofstatelawsonkinshipcare,seewww.grandfamilies.org).TheFosteringConnectionsActcontainsseveralprovisionsthatarelikelytoresultinanevengreaternumberofchildrenplacedintofostercaretolivewithrelatives,whointurn,maypursueadoptionifchildrencannotreturnhome.Theyinclude:• Noticeprovision–requireschildwelfareagenciestonotifyrelativeswithin
30daysofachild’sremovalfromthecustodyofaparent.Thisprovisionplacesemphasisonadiligentsearchforrelativesandrequiresagenciestoinformallknownrelativesthatthechildisincareandexplaintherelatives’optionsforcareandsupportofthechild.Thenoticeprovisionispredictedtoincreasethenumberoffosterchildrenlivingwithkin.
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• Licensingwaivers–affirmsstateauthoritytowaivenon‐safetystandardsinordertolicenserelativesasfosterparents.Ifmorerelativesbecomelicensedfosterparents,theywillalsobeentitledtoadoptionsubsidiesiftheyeventuallyadopt.Adoptionsubsidiesprovideanimportantincentiveforrelativestomakeapermanentlegalcommitmenttothechildrenintheircare.Infact,researchhasshownthatincreasesintheadoptionsubsidycanresultinmorechildrenadoptedfromfostercare.(seeHansenathttp://www.american.edu/academic.depts/cas/econ/workingpapers/2005-10.pdf)
• Siblingprovision–requiresstatechildwelfareagenciestoplacesiblingstogetherwheneverpossible.Researchhasshownthatrelativecaregiversaremorelikelytotakeinsiblinggroupsthannon‐relatives.(seehttp://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/0347.pdf).
RelativeplacementstokeepchildrenoutoffostercareRelativecareforchildreninfostercareisonlyasmallsliceofthepopulationofchildrenlivingwithrelatives.Nationally,thereareabout2.4millionchildrenlivingwitharelativewherethereisoftennoparentpresentinthehome.(seehttp://www.grandfactsheets.org/state_fact_sheets.cfm). Manychildrenarelivingwithrelativeswhostepforwardtocareforthemasaresultofachildprotectioninvestigation.Othershavehadnochildwelfareinvolvement.Whilemanyofthesechildreneventuallyreturnhome,relativeswilloftenpursuelegalcustodyand/oradoptionthroughtheprobatecourtswhenitbecomesevidentthattheparentscannolongerpermanentlycareforthechildren.Whilemanyofthesekinshipfamiliesarenotinvolvedinthechildwelfaresystem,theymayalsorequiresimilarlegalandemotionalsupport. IncreasedrecognitionthatrelativeswilladoptifitisinthebestinterestsofthechildrenintheircareInthepast,popularwisdomwasthatrelativesdonotwanttoadopt.Indeed,somerelativeshaveconcernsaboutadoptingchildrenwithwhomtheyalreadyhaveanexistingfamilyrelationship.Sometimesrelativesdonotwanttopermanentlyalterfamilyrelationshipsbyterminatingparentalrightsagainsttheirownchildren,sisters,orbrothers.Theyholdontothehopethatthechildren’sparentswilleventuallymakesufficientprogresstobeabletoresumecarefortheirchildren.Often,relativesareundertheassumptionthatthecarefortheirrelativechildrenwillbetemporary,andhaveahardtimeadjustingtotherealitythatthechildrenmightbewiththempermanently.Incaseswitholderyouth,sometimestheyouthdoesnotthinkadoptionistherightchoice.Thesearejustsomeofthereasonswhysubsidizedguardianshipasapermanencyoption—whichdoesnotrequireterminationofparentalrights—issoimportantforsomanychildren.Yetmanyrelatives—oncetheyfullyunderstandthelegal,emotionalandfinancialconsiderationsofadoption—goontoadoptthechildrenintheircare.A1996studyfoundthatkinareaswillingtoconsideradoptionasotherfostercaregivers.1Inmanycases,relativesmayhaveconcernsorbelievemythsthatcanbeclearedup.
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Forexample,theymightthinkthatachildhastochangehisorhernametobeadopted,orthatterminationofparentalrights(TPR)meansthechildcannothavecontactwithherbirthparents.OthersmaypreferadoptionandbelievethatTPRistheonlysafeandsecurewaytomanagetherelationshipbetweenachildandhisbirthparents.Stillothersmayrealizethatthechildwillnotreturntotheparentsandwantthefulllegalandemotionaltiesthatadoptionaffords.Whateverthereason,thefieldisincreasinglyrecognizingthatadoptionforkinshipfamiliesisaviableoption.
How Is Kinship Adoption Different from Other Adoptions?
Everyadoptionpresentsauniquesetofopportunitiesandchallengesforchildrenandtheiradoptivefamilies.Butkinshipadoptionpresentsaparticularsetofissuesbyvirtueofthepre‐existingrelationshipthatrelativecaregiverstypicallyhavewiththechildandherparents.Whileitistruethateverykinshipfamilyisdifferent(andsomedon’thaveapre‐existingrelationship)therearesomethingsthatsetmostkinshipfamiliesapartfromtraditionaladoptivefamilies.TheissuesbelowareadaptedfromtheworkofJosephCrumbley,aclinicalpsychologistwhohasworkedwithanddocumentedtheexperiencesofcountlesskinshipfamilies,includingthosewhohaveadopted.FormoreinformationonDr.Crumbley,see(www.drcrumbley.com).PreexistingrelationshipsThepre‐existingrelationshipbetweenarelativecaregiverandachildisoneofthethingsthatcanmakekinshipcareapositiveexperienceforvulnerablechildren.Kinshipcaregiversknowthechild’shistoryanduniqueneeds,whichcanlessenthetraumaofbeingseparatedfromtheparents.Evenifthechildandrelativehavenevermet,theyhavefamilialtiesthatcanbereassuringforthechild.Butkinshipadopterswhohaveapre‐existingrelationshipwithachild’sparentalsofacesaspecialsetofemotionsthatshouldbeaddresseddirectlyastheypreparetoadoptachild.Emotionsincludeguiltaboutthesituationinwhichthechildandparentfindthemselves(“Icouldhavedonesomethingaboutit”)orangeroveraparent’sinabilitytogethis/heracttogether.Confusionmightresultfromhavingtobecomemorelikeaparentandlesslikeadotinggrandparent,aunt,oruncle.Andunlikeanunrelatedadoptiveparent,kinshipcaregiversoftenhaveadifficulttimefullycelebratingafinalizedadoption.Forthemandtheirchildren,theadoptionmightbeviewedasabittersweetexperience.Childrenlivinginkinshiparrangementsalsoexperiencearangeofemotionsasaresultofthepre‐existingrelationship.Childrenmightnotunderstandwhytheirgrandparent,aunt,oruncleisnowactingmorelikeaparent.Theymightresentorbeconfusedbythefactthatadultstheyknewinonecontextarenowplayingacompletelydifferentrole.Olderchildreninparticularmightfeelthatrelativesarebetrayingtheirparentsbyterminatingparentalrightsandpursuingadoption.Other
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familymembersmightalsofeeltherelativeisoversteppingherboundariesbyadoptingthechild.Parentsmightalsobeangrywiththerelativefor“conspiring”againstthemandmightfeelitwastherelativewhowasresponsibleforterminatingparentalrights.Theymightbejealousthattherelativecansafelycareforthechildwhentheyarenotableto.Someparentsmighttrytoturnthechildagainsttherelativeorsabotagethehealthyrelationshipbetweenthechildandthecaregiver.Theymightquestiontheloyaltyofthecaregiver,whomtheyfeelhasputthechild’sneedsandprioritiesaheadoftheirownneeds.KnowledgeoffamilydynamicsRelativecaregivershaveintimateknowledgeaboutfamilyhistoryandfamilylegacythattraditionaladoptivefamiliesdonothave.Ontheonehand,thiscanbepositiveforthechild,asrelativescanhelpthemunderstandanddealwiththislegacyinahealthyway.Relativescanhelpchildrenbreakintergenerationalcyclesofviolence,substanceabuse,andpovertyandbearolemodelwithinthefamilynetworkforhowpositivechoicescanleadtoamoreproductivelife.Butknowledgeoffamilydynamicscanalsobeaburden.Kinshipcaregiversmightworryexcessivelyaboutthechildbecoming“justlikehermom”andbecomeoverlyprotectivejustatatimewhenachildneedsincreasingindependence.Theymightalsoinappropriatelycommunicateabouttheparent’sshortcomingsinfrontofthechild.OngoingrelationshipwiththeparentOneofthebenefitsofkinshipadoptionisthatchildrendonothavetocompletelysevertheemotionalbondtheyhavewithaparent.Relativescanhelpchildrenstaysafelyconnectedtotheirparents,aswellastotheirfamilyandculturalheritage.Whilethiscanalsooccurwithadoptionbynon‐relatedcaregivers,itissometimesmoredifficultforastrangertounderstandthechild’sneedforabirthparentconnection.Ongoinginteractionsbetweenachildandparentcanalsobeasourceofstrainforthekinshipfamily.Caregiversmustpreventaparent’sunhealthypatternsofbehaviorfromnegativelyaffectingthechildandsetboundariesforachild’srelationshipwiththebirthparent.Atthesametime,thecaregiver’sownrelationshipwiththeparentmightbeasourceofconflictandstressforthecaregiver,child,andparent.DifferencesinpreparationforcaregivingroleTraditionalfosterandadoptiveparentsmakeaconsciousdecisiontofosteroradoptachildandhavemanyopportunitiesfortraining,support,andcounselbeforebringingachildintotheirhome.Forthekinshipcaregiver,thedecisiontocareforachildusuallyhappenswithlittlepreparationorsupportand,ifthefamilyhaschildwelfareinvolvement,maywelltakeplacewithin24hours.
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Whileakinshipcaregiverwhoadoptswillhavetimetomakeadecisionaboutwhetherthisistherightthingforthechild,theyoftendonotreceivethesamepreparationandasotheradoptiveparents.
Kinship Care vs. Traditional Foster Care
Pre‐existingrelationshipwithchild Nopre‐existingrelationshipwithchild
Redefinesexistingfamilyrelationships Strengthensnewfamilyrelationships
Mixedfeelingsaboutlossofparenttochild
Celebrationofanewfamily
Mixedfeelingsaboutlossofroleasgrandparent,aunt,uncle,etc.
Excitementaboutnewroleasparent
Knowledgeoffamilydynamics Limitedknowledgeoffamilydynamics
Decisiontobecomeacaregiverisunplannedandincrisis;requestfromparent,
childprotectionorcourts
Decisiontobecomeacaregiverisplannedandvoluntary
Limitedpreparationforcare‐giving Preparationforcare‐givingroleandsupportalreadyinplacebeforechild
isplacedinhome
Unanticipatedrequirementstobecomeafosteroradoptiveparent
Requirementstobecomefosteroradoptiveparentareanticipated
Guiltoverbirthparentproblems Noguiltoverbirthparentproblems
Guiltfortakingoverparentalroleforchild
Feelingsthattheyaresavingthechild
Perceptionthattheyarebetrayingbirthparentbyassuminglegalrelationships
Feelingtheyaredisplayingloyaltyandcommitmenttochildbyassuming
legalrelationship
Incompetitionwithbirthparentifchildbecomesattachedtorelative
Motivatedtodemonstrateattachmentthatisasstrongasprevious
attachmentwithbirthparent
Splitloyaltiesandhesitationtolegalizerelationship
Highmotivationtolegalizerelationship
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How Can Agencies Best Support Kinship Adoption? Kinshipadoptioncanprovidechildrenwiththestabilityandsafetythatwaslackingwhentheylivedwiththeirbirthparents.Itcanhelpkeepsiblingstogetherinonehome,allowchildrentostayconnectedtotheirparentsandotherextendedfamily,andavoidunnecessarilylengthystaysinfostercare.Withouttheproperpreparationandsupport,however,kinshipadoptioncanplaceunduehardshipontheadoptivefamily.Simplestepscanhelpkinshipadoptersthroughsomeofthemorecomplexdynamicsofadoptingarelativechild.Belowareanumberofrecommendationsforimprovingfrontlinepractice,changingagencystructureandfocus,andmakingpolicychangestoimprovetheexperiencesofrelativecaregiverswhoadopt.
1. AdequatelyPrepareKinshipFamiliesforAdoption
Childwelfareprofessionalsshouldnotassumethateverykinshipadoptiveparentisreadytoassumethecaregivingrole.Althoughtherelativemostlikelyknowsthechildanddoeshaveconnectionstothefamily,shestillneedssupporttodealwiththecomplexemotionsofadoptingarelative,includingmanagingfamilyboundaries,addressingspecialneedsandbehaviors,andlearningwhattoexpectfromthechildandparentbeforeandaftertheadoption.Helpingadoptivecaregiversexpresstheiremotionsaboutwhathashappenedtothefamilyisalsocriticallyimportant.Agenciesshouldfullypreparekinshipfamiliesfortheadoptionexperienceandtheuniqueissuesthatsurfacewhenadoptingkin.Thispreparationshouldstartevenbeforethefamilymakesadecisiontoadoptbyfullydisclosingalloptionsavailableandtheimplicationsofeachoption.Iftheyareeducatedearlyandoftenaboutdifferentpermanencyoptions,kinshipcaregiverscanbebetterpreparedoncetheyhavemadeadecisionthatadoptionisineveryone’sbestinterest.Practitionerswhoworkcloselywithkinshipfamiliesconfirmthatconcurrentpermanencyplanningcanbeaseffectivewithkinshipfamiliesasitiswithunrelatedfosterparents.Oncekinshipfamilieshavemadethedecisiontoadopt,discussionsbasedonthefollowingquestionscanhelppreparekinshipfamiliesforwhatisdowntheroad:• Whatareyourfeelingsaboutterminatingtherightsofthechild’sbirth
parent?Howcanyouhelpotherfamilymemberswhofeelyouareviolatingthefamilycodecometotermswithyourroleinsupportingthechild?
• Howdoyouthinkthingswillbedifferentafteradoptionthantheyarenow?Howwillyourrelationshipschange?Howisitdifferenttobemother/fatherratherthangrandmother/grandfatheroraunt/uncle?Howwillyouexplorethesedifferenceswiththechild?
• Howdoesyourextendedfamilyfeelabouttheadoption?Howinvestedaretheyandhowcantheysupportyou?
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• Howwillyounavigatethebirthparentrelationship?Whatareyouconcernedaboutnowintermsofsafetyandongoinginteractionandwhataretheresourcesavailabletohelpyounavigatethisrelationshipovertime?
• Whatarethelegalimplicationsofadoption?• Haveyou,thechild,andtheparent(s)cometotermswiththereasonsthe
childcannotbewiththebirthparent?Agencieswithexperienceinkinshipadoptionstresstheimportanceofpreparationforbothparentsandchildren.Inaddition,agenciesmayneedtoworkwithbirthparentstohelpthemviewthesituationthroughthechild’seyes.Parentsmayfeelthattherelativeadoptionisaviolationoffamilycodeorinterference,andmayneedhelptocometotermswiththelimitsoftheirfuturerelationshipwiththechild.Helpingtoinvolvethebirthparents,whenpossible,canreducetherelativecaregiver’sguilt,reducethechild’sstress,andimprovefamilyfunctioningdowntheroad.
2. ReviewandModifyAssessmentandTrainingforKinThehomestudyprocessmayneedtobemodifiedforkinshipfamilies.Spaceandhousingrequirementsthatareapplicabletofosterparentsmayneedtobemoreflexibletoaccommodaterelativecaregivers.Inaddition,acaregiver’sreluctancetoadoptshouldnotbeviewedinthesamemannerasnon‐relativeadopters.Becauseacaregiverisbeingaskedtomakemajorshiftsinexistingfamilyrelationships,theirreluctancemaybenaturalandevenhealthy.Theymayalsohesitatetovoicetheirconcernsbecausetheydon’twanttobejudgedasuncooperative.Theassessmentprocessshouldensurethatkincaregivershaveachancetoworkthroughconcernsinanhonestandopenwaysothattheycanbepreparedforthenewrolestheyassume.Workersmayalsoneedtoapproachtheassessmentdifferentlywithkin.Relativeswhoarealreadycaringforthechildorhaveaconnectionwiththechildmaynotfeelthattheyneedtobestudiedandassessed(“I’mhisgrandma—whydoyouneedtocheckanythingout?”).Someagenciesaddressthisissuebyhavingseparateprocessesforkinandothers,andtailoringthestudytoeachindividualcase.Specifictraininggearedtowardkinshipfamilies’needsisalsohelpful.Intheabsenceofaspecificcurriculumforkinshipcaregivers,agenciescanreviewadoptiveparenttrainingtoensurethatmodulesarerelevanttorelatives.Theycanalsoprovidespaceforkinshipcaregiverstomeetwitheachotherandsharecommonconcernsandprovidemutualsupport.Providingtheopportunityfortheprospectiveadopterstomeetwithkinwhohavealreadyadoptedmayalsobebeneficialandhelpallayfears.Thesesupportgroupsareparticularlyimportantsincemostkinshipfamiliesalreadyhavechildrenlivingintheirhomewhilemanyotherpre‐adoptivefamiliesarestillawaitingplacement.For more on training that is geared to the unique needs of kinship caregivers, see Training Kin to be Foster Parents: Best Practices from the Field, (http://www.childfocuspartners.com/pdfs/Training_Kinship_Caregivers_0708.pdf).
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3. RecognizeandSupportPostAdoptionNeedsofKinshipFamiliesRecentgainsinpromotingtimelypermanencyforchildreninfostercarehasledtonewunderstandingabouttheneedforongoingsupporttokeepfamiliestogetherevenafterafinalizedadoptionorguardianship.Post‐permanencyservices—includingaccesstomentalhealthservices,respitecare,medicalcare,adoptionsubsidies,supportaschildrenreachadolescence,andsupportgroups—canensurethatfamilieshaveaccesstothesupporttheyneedaschildrengrowandreachnewdevelopmentalchallenges.Whilecriticaltoalladoptivefamilies,thesesupportsmaybeespeciallyimportantforkinshipcaregivers.Typically,childreninkinshipplacementsaremorelikelythanotherchildreninfostercaretobepoorandtolivewithasingle,unemployedcaregiver.Relativefosterparents—themostlikelyrelativeadopters—aremorelikelytobesingle,havelowereducationalachievement,lowerincome,andhavepoorerhealth.2Statesmustensurethatexistingpost‐permanencyservicesarealsoopentorelativeswhoadopt.Theycanalsoensurethattheseservicesareinclusiveofandresponsivetorelatives’uniqueneeds,includinghowtomanagerelationshipswithbirthparentsandotherfamilymembers.Staffmaythinkthatrelativesarebetterpreparedtodealwithbirthfamilyinteractionsthanotherparents,wheninfacttheseissuesmaybemoredifficultforkin.Becausetherelativesoftenhaveanongoingrelationshipwiththebirthparent,theymightneedhelpestablishingsafeboundariesthatareprotectiveofthechildandthenewadoptivefamilyrelationship.Someagenciesevenprovidemediationbetweenkincaregiversandbirthparentswhenboundariesarecrossedorconfused.Inaddition,thecaregiver’sbirthchildrenmayneedsupportastheircousinorniecebecomesasisterorbrother.
4. DevelopKinshipCompetencePublicandprivateagenciesalikemustbuildtheircapacitytoworkwithkinshipfamilieswhentheyadopttheirrelativechildren.Todevelopkinshipcompetence,agenciesandstaffmustworktoovercomeandaddressanumberofassumptions,suchas:
Assumption #1
“Kinshipfamiliesdonotwanttoadoptbecausetheydonotwanttoterminateparentalrights.”Whilethismightbetrueinsomecases,itisimportanttouncoverthereasonskinshipfamiliesmightnotwanttoadoptandtoaddressthoseconcerns.Mostimportantly,whenassessingkinshipcaregiversformotivationtoadoptstaffshouldnotequatereluctancetoadoptasalackofcommitmenttothechild.
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Assumption #2
“Becausekinshipfamiliesaremorelikelytohaveapreexistingrelationshipwiththechild,theydonotneedthesamelevelofsupport,guidance,oroversightasthosewhoareformingnewfamilyrelationships.”Relativesmaynotevenknowtheirrelatedchildormaynothaveformedastrongattachmentyet.Thekinmaynotunderstandspecialneedsortheeffectsoftrauma.Supportandguidancefromstaffwhoareawareoftheneedsofkinshipfamiliesandcanaddressissuesofsafetyandwell‐beingcanmakeadifferenceincaregivers’abilitytounderstandandsafelycareforrelativechildren.
Assumption #3
“Kinareveryawareofthechild’shistoryandthebirthparents’circumstances.”Inmanycases,relativecaregiversdonotknoweverythingaboutthechild,andeveniftheyknowwhathashappened,theymaynotunderstandtheimpact.Theymayalsohaveknowledgeaboutthechild’sparenttowhomtheyarerelated,butknowlittleabouttheparenttowhomtheyarenotrelated.Staffmustdoathoroughsocialhistoryastheydowithotherchildren,andthenengagecaregiversindiscussionsabouthowpastabuseorneglectaffectschildren’shealthandmentalhealthnowandinthefuture.Asoneproviderstated,“Itisimportanttoprovidemoreinformationthannotenoughsocaregiversfullygraspwhatchildrenhavebeenthroughandwhatitmeansfortheirfuture.”
Assumption #4
“Childrenneedlesspreparationbecausetheyaregoingtolivewitharelative.”Anout‐of‐homeplacementandevenadoptioncanbetraumaticorstressfulforachild,evenifthechildisremainingwithextendedfamily.Workersneedtobesurethatthechildoryouthisfullyawareoftheplacementandthechangestocome,andthatthechildhassupportduringtheprocess.
Assumption #5
“Kinshipfamiliesdonotwantchildwelfareinvolvedintheirlives.”Whileitistruethatsomekinshipfamiliesarefearfulofchildwelfareagencies,theystillneedinformationandsupportthatcanhelpthemthroughthepermanencyprocess,whetheritisdirectlyfromchildwelfareagenciesorthroughlinkagestocommunitybasedorganizationswithspecializedknowledgeaboutkinshipcare.Whilechildwelfareinvolvementmaybeintimidating,manykinshipcaregiversreportthatthedevelopmentofatrustingrelationshipwithaworkerwhounderstoodtheirneedsmadeaworldofdifferencetothemandtheirchildren.Inadditiontoknowinghowtoaddressassumptions,kinshipcompetencerequiresawarenessoftheuniqueneedsofdiverseracialandculturalgroupsandhowtheyviewtheroleofextendedfamily.
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Agencieshavetakenseveraldifferentapproachestodevelopastrongfocusontheuniqueissuesinkinshipadoption:• Createaspecialkinshipunit–Whetherinapublicorprivateagency,kinship
unitscanspecializeinworkwithkinshipfamilies,includingthefacilitationofpeersupportbetweenfamiliestolessenisolationandshareresources.Theycanalsotrainandmentorfrontlinestaffinthebeststrategiestoengageandsupportkinshipfamilies.
• Partnerwithspecializedkinshipagencies–Somechildwelfareagencies
contractdirectlywithprivateagenciestoprovidecasemanagementforsomeoralloftheirkinshipfamilies.AgenciessuchasASecondChance,Inc.,ofPennsylvania,provideintensiveservicestokinshipfamiliesthroughoutthechildwelfarecontinuumandhavespecializedknowledgeneededtoassess,license,train,andmonitorthemforsafety,permanencyandwell‐being.
• Buildinternalcapacity–Publicagenciesandprivateagenciesundercontractto
thestateshoulddedicatetrainingtoincreasestaffawarenessabouttheneedsofkinshipfamilies,particularlyiftheagencyhastraditionallyworkedwithfosterfamilieswhoarenotrelatedtothechild.Becausechildrenlivingwithkinshipfosterparentstendtohavelongerstaysincare,itisparticularlyimportanttodevelopjointaccountabilitybetweenthepublicandprivatesectorstoachievepermanencyforthesechildren.Thetrainingmightincludehowtohelpstaffenablerelativestotreatbirthparentswithrespectandseethemasaresource,whilemaintainingboundarieswithbirthparents;howtoexplainandexplorepermanencyoptions;howtoprovideassistancetocaregiverswithimmediateneeds;andmore.Inaddition,recruiterswouldbenefitfromtrainingonsearchingforextendedrelatives,includingpaternalkinandkinwhowerenotreadytobeafosterparentwhenthechildenteredcare.
5. PromoteFlexibleKinshipLicensingPolicies
Inmanyjurisdictions,kinshipfamilieswhocareforchildreninvolvedwiththechildwelfaresystemareeitherdiscouragedfrombecominglicensedfosterparentsorarenotawarethatlicensureisanoption.Kinshipfamiliesmightalsofailtomeetrigidfosterparentlicensingstandards.Althoughlicensingpoliciesexisttoensurethatfosterparentscansafelycareforachild,somestandardsshouldnotalwaysbeappliedtorelatives,suchasspaceandcapacityrequirements.Unfortunately,ifrelativesdonotbecomelicensedfosterparents,theyarenoteligibleforadoptionassistanceorsomeoftheotherbenefitsavailabletofamilieswhoadoptfromfostercare,includingreimbursementforhomestudyandlegalcostsfortheadoption.Relativeswhotakeinchildrenthroughthechildwelfaresystemshouldbemadeawareofthevariousoptionsforcaringforthechild,includingtheoptionofbecomingalicensedfosterparentifthechildisinthestate’scustody.Agenciesshouldnotautomaticallysteerrelativecaregiversawayfromfostercarebecausetheyassumetheydonotwanttobelicensedorwillnotmeetlicensingstandards.Norshouldstaffpressurecaregiversintotakingachildwithnofurtheragency
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involvementbystatingthatifthechildgoesintocare,thereisnoguaranteeshewillbekeptwithinthefamily.Promotinglicensedfostercareisparticularlyimportantwhenriskandsafetyassessmentsfindamoderatetohighlevelofrisktothechildandcourtandagencyoversightisinorder.Becomingalicensedfosterparentistypicallytheonlyroutetoensurefamiliescanreceiveadoptionandguardianshipassistancetomeetthechild’sneedsiftheplacementbecomespermanent.
6. SupportResearchandEvaluationResearchonoutcomesforchildrenadoptedbyrelativesislimited.OnestudyconductedbyIllinoisStateUniversity’sCenterforAdoptionStudiesfoundthatrelativeadoptersgavethemostpositiveresponsestoquestionsaboutoverallfunctioningofthechild.Relativeadopters,ascomparedtofosterparentsandmatchedadoptivefamilies,ratedchildrenasmorecapableinalldomainsexaminedincludinghealth,mentalhealth,schoolperformance,managingintheneighborhoodandcommunity,andfunctioninginthefamily.Kinadoptersalsoreportedsignificantlyfewerbehavioralandemotionalproblemsamongtheirchildrenthandidotheradopters.3However,theresearchwasacross‐sectionalsurveyandthusreliedonself‐reportbyfamilies,soresultsshouldbeinterpretedwithcaution.Additionalresearchisneededtofullyunderstandlong‐termoutcomesforchildrenadoptedbyrelatives.
7. OptintotheFederalKinshipGuardianshipAssistanceProgram
Forsomerelativesorthechildrenintheircare,adoptionisnotthebestoption.Theseincludeolderyouthwhodonotwanttoterminateparentalrights,youthorcaregiverswhoarereluctanttoalterfamilyrelationshipbyterminatingparentalrights,orfamilieswhereastrongattachmentbetweenthebirthparentandchildmakesterminatingparentalrightsundesirable.Inthesecases,statesshouldensurethatsubsidizedguardianshipisaviablepermanencyoption.Allstatesshouldoptintothefederalsubsidizedguardianshipprogramtoensurethatthisisaroutetopermanencyforfosterchildrenwhenadoptionisnotappropriate.Whenimplementingguardianship,however,agenciesshouldensurethatbothadoptionandguardianshipareexploredtobesurecaregiversaremakingtherightchoicefortheirparticularcircumstances. 1 Gebel, T.J. (1996). Kinship Care and non-relative family foster care: A comparison of caregiver attributes and attitudes. Child Welfare, 75, 5-18. 2 Hegar, Rebecca and Scannapieco, Maria (2005). Kinship Care: Preservation of the Extended Family, In Child Welfare for the 21st Century: A Handbook of Practices, Policies, and Programs, edited by Gerald Mallon and Peg McCartt Hess, p. 519. 3 Howard, Jeanne and Livingston, Susan (2003). Children’s level of adjustment in kinship, foster, and matched adoptions in After Adoption: The Needs of Adopted Youth Washington, D.C: Child Welfare League of America.
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Acknowledgements This publication was a collaborative effort between ChildFocus and the North American Council on Adoptable Children. We wish to thank the following individuals for their time, insight and expertise on the issue of kinship adoption: Karen Alvord, LCSW, Executive Director, Lilliput Children’s Services Lisa Walker, MSW, LSW, Senior VP of Child and Family Services, A Second Chance Inc. Pam Wolf, LCSW, Founder and CEO, Harmony Adoptions Jeanne Howard, PhD, Co-Director, Center for Adoption Studies at Illinois State University We also wish to thank Dr. Joseph Crumbley, DSW, for his comments on this publication and his valuable contributions to the framework for kinship care vs. traditional foster care. Dr. Crumbley’s work continues to have a positive impact on this nation’s understanding of and compassion for the unique needs of kinship families. ChildFocus is a national consulting firm specializing in policy advocacy, strategic planning, organizational development, and government relations on a wide range of issues impacting vulnerable children and families. ChildFocus’ partners have a special expertise on innovative kinship care policy and practice. (http://www.childfocuspartners.com) The North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC), founded in 1974 by adoptive parents, is dedicated to the mission that every child deserves a permanent family. Through advocacy, education, support, and parent leadership capacity building, NACAC promotes and supports permanence for children and youth in foster care in the U.S. and Canada (http://www.nacac.org). This publication was made possible through the generous support of the Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF). The authors wish to thank AECF for its continued support of our work to ensure that children living with kin achieve safety, permanency and well-being.