“Every child in foster care is someone’s niece, someone’s nephew.”

- Bethany, Foster Parent

What is Kinship Care?

A child who is placed in foster care by the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) because of abuse, neglect, or dependency in their home needs a safe place to stay.

The best person to meet the daily needs of this child is often someone he or she has a relationship with by blood, adoption, or marriage; someone the child knows and who is able to provide them with a safe environment. This is kinship Care – an alternative to having a child placed with a foster family the child does not know. DCFS may also consider non-relatives who have an established relationship with the child to become the child’s caregivers.

Kinship caregivers may become licensed as foster/adoptive parents or they may be given custody and guardianship themselves. The differences will be explained on the next page.

Families who are getting licensed to care for a child they are related to are called “kinship” foster parents. Families who are getting licensed to care for a child they are not related to but do have an established relationship with are called “specific” foster parents. On the pages that follow we will refer to both as kinship foster parents.

Families who wish to be considered for placement must be able and willing to meet all of the child’s needs. Families that are licensed will have additional resources and supports available, especially beneficial if a child has emotional, physical or mental health issues.

If you are considering becoming a kinship caregiver, whether licensed or not, please read through this section of our web site. We hope to provide you with a better understanding of how Kinship Care works and help you decide if you are ready to take on the responsibility.

Toll-free: 877.505.KIDS
Local: 801.994.5205