Kinship Care in Pennsylvania: Creating an Equitable System for Families

Family connection provides one of the most important contributions to the development and identity of children. A child’s family connections help them grow and thrive, provide them identity and security, and are a critical link to culture and traditions. When experiencing difficult times, family members can support each other in ways no one else can, with the shared goal of keeping the family intact and connected. When a child’s life is disrupted, calling on the support of family is custom in most communities and can be a great source of comfort for both children and the family. This is especially true for children and youth who are experiencing abuse, trauma or neglect. Enlisting the support of kin can proactively prevent a child’s formal involvement in the child welfare system, or removal from the home in the first place. If it is necessary for the child to be removed, placement with kin can reduce the trauma of removal by providing continuity of care and connections to their family and community. Removing children from the home of their parents or caregivers should always be the decision of last resort, but if it is necessary to ensure safety, placement considerations should first be with kin – blood relatives and those by marriage or adoption, a godparent or member of the child’s tribe – who have a significant relationship with the child or the child’s family. Research shows that compared with children in nonrelative care, youth placed with kin experience better outcomes in the following areas: Placement stability; School stability and positive educational outcomes; Reduced re-entry into the child welfare system; Permanency through reunification, adoption or guardianship; Better physical, behavioral and mental health outcomes; Increased likelihood of living with or staying connected to siblings; and Greater preservation of race and cultural identity, including community connections. Unfortunately, not all children who enter foster care are afforded the opportunity to be placed with kin or allowed to maintain ...