Kinship Diversion

Article by Ali Caliendo from First Focus' Big Ideas 2023 that examines various out-of-home kinship care arrangements and the different issues they present. The article argues that a development of a standardized framework to discuss kinship care is long overdue in the child welfare field in the context of child welfare policy and practice. Recommendations include requiring child welfare systems to collect and report data based on the universal nonparental family types touching the child welfare system; requiring states to outline how kinship care will be used as part of a state FFPSA prevention plan; further delinking kinship resources from foster care status, and recognizing the need for independent kinship navigator programs.

2023 Casey Family Programs brief describing hidden foster care and issues related to its practice. The brief lists 3 prinicples of best practice: support to the child is central for safety and permanency; parents have a right to due process and quality representation; and caregivers need support and resources to safely care for children.

2023 ABA Journal article by Amanda Robert examining "shadow" or "hidden" foster care, and following one family's experience navigating the system.

Policy proposal from the 2023 Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute's annual Foster Youth Internship Program report. Advocates for establishing and funding a voluntary supported kinship care diversion mode to support kinship families for better outcomes for kids, families, and the child welfare system.

2023 Chapin Hall report examining kinship diversion, listing the evidence surrounding its practice, and giving policy and practice recommendations.