General Kinship Publications

Annotated bibliography developed by Chapin Hall which highlights 50 social science research on on kinship caregivers and children in kinship care. This resource provides a list of source citations, the kinship population studied (formal, informal, or diversion/voluntary), key findings, notable result(s), and its limitations. This bibliography is drawn almost entirely from peer-reviewed academic research and on articles published between 2016 and 2026 (September 2026). 

Generations United fact sheet summarizing research showing that children thrive in grandfamilies, especially when well-supported by services. Most recently updated with new data and research in September 2026.

Congressional Research Services one-pager displaying statistics and basic information about children living in kinship care in the US. Includes data related to state, foster care status, age, income, race, and public benefit usage.

This document developed by the Center for Legal and Judicial Innovation and Advancement shares ideas and suggested best practices for exploring or expanding the use of IV-E funding to improve the quality of legal representation in child welfare. 

Report by the National Conference of State Legislatures highlighting state policies regarding kinship care. The report explains the benefits of kinship care, shares state-by-state data about kinship placement, and gives examples of state laws on strategies inlcuding defining kinship providers, identifying kin and prioritizing kinship placements, reducing red tape for kin-specific licensure, providing supportive services and assistance to kinship caregivers, and ensuring long-term stability.