September is Kinship Care Month, a month dedicated to highlighting and celebrating the importance and impact of kinship care within families and communities. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, more than 2 million children were in kinship care in the United States in 2021 to 2023.

What is Kinship Care?

Kinship care involves children living with relatives – such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, or siblings – or individuals close to the family when their biological parents aren’t able to provide a safe home. In Missouri, 38,000 children were in kinship care between 2021 and 2023 (Annie E. Casey Foundation).

Placing children in kinship care rather than foster care can minimize the trauma associated with separation from parents, according to the Children Welfare Information Gateway. When children are placed in kinship care, it also helps preserve family connections and cultural heritage. 

Kinship care allows children to maintain relational permanency – the ongoing, supportive relationships between children, their parents and their caregivers (Family Justice Journal, 2023). Relational health and a sense of belonging go hand in hand.  Children thrive when they feel a sense of belonging, and maintaining connections with family members can be crucial for their development.

Why is Kinship Care Important?

Kinship care is crucial as it offers children a stable and familiar environment when they come into the child welfare system. Children in kinship care have shown more positive behavioral development, mental health and placement stability than children in nonkin foster care (National Library of Medicine). The stability that kinship care offers can lead to better behavioral and mental health outcomes compared to traditional foster care placements. Additionally, keeping children within their extended family helps maintain their connection to their culture and traditions, providing a sense of belonging and identity.

Relational permanency—the ongoing, supportive relationships between children, their parents and their caregivers—is vital for a child’s well-being (Family Justice Journal, 2024). Strong connections help children feel loved, secure and understood, which can enhance their resilience and overall mental health. Supporting relational permanency means fostering environments where caregivers and parents can collaborate, communicate and work together for the child’s best interests.

Challenges Faced by Kinship Caregivers

Kinship caregivers face different challenges when it comes to caring for their loved ones. Often times, these struggles can become evident through financial hardship, lack of resources and support between licensed and unlicensed caregivers (Annie E. Casey Foundation).

1. Unequal Financial Assistance: States offer varying levels of financial support to kinship caregivers. While licensed foster parents often receive financial assistance, many unlicensed kinship caregivers do not. Many states, including Missouri, offer kinship caregivers eligibility for the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) child-only payment program. Far fewer states provide larger foster care maintenance payments. This leaves a significant number of caregivers without essential support.
2. Inconsistent Training and Support Services: Training requirements for unlicensed kinship caregivers vary widely. In 14 states, no training is mandated, while five states offer specialized training tailored to the needs of kinship caregivers. This inconsistency can lead to gaps in caregivers’ preparedness and access to support services, such as childcare, clothing allowances, transportation and educational resources.
3. Limited Access to Services: Unlicensed kinship caregivers often receive fewer support services compared to their licensed counterparts. Licensed caregivers are more likely to benefit from services provided by child welfare agencies, while unlicensed caregivers may be left without essential resources and assistance.

Addressing these issues requires effort from policymakers to close the resource gaps and ensure that unlicensed kinship caregivers receive the support they need (Annie E. Casey Foundation).

Celebrating Kinship Care Month

Celebrate Kinship Care Month by thanking kinship caregivers who provide safety, love, stability and support to the children in their care. When we prioritize kinship care and relational health, we can help create a child welfare system that values and supports families. Advocate for policies that enhance family connections, provide resources that empower families and create environments that celebrate belonging. This Kinship Care Month, let’s reaffirm our commitment to a kin-first culture and work together to build stronger, better-connected families. 

Blog post by Brianna Bowman