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
Important Phone Numbers for Foster Families Form
Local Crisis / Referral Help Phone Numbers
National Crisis / Referral Help Phone Numbers
Other Kinship Links / Resources
American Bar Association - Kinship Care Legal Research Center
Judical Tip Sheet - Kin First (Keeping Families Together)
A Resource Guide for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Child in Oregon
Children's Defense Fund
Grandfamilies State Law and Policy Resource Center
Grandparents.com - Grandparents Caring for Grandkids Forum
Grandparents.com - When You're a Parent Again
Grandparents.com - The Grandparents Rights to Legal Resources
Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging
Iowa Department of Elder Affairs
Western Michigan University - Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
University of Wisconsin Extension - Grandparenting Today (Over 100 Fact Sheets)
