Information memorandum summarizing the final rule released on 9/28/23 that allows states to adopt separate licensing standards for relative or kinship foster family homes.

• View the webinar recording

This webinar with ABA Center on Children and the Law and Generations United examines how child welfare agencies follow the requirements in the long-standing federal Adam Walsh law. This law sensibly bars individuals who have been convicted of violent felonies from ever becoming licensed or approved as foster parents. But, most jurisdictions go well beyond federal requirements and prevent individuals from becoming foster parents for minor, non-violent crimes. 

Memo by the ABA Center on Children and the Law and Generations United examining the federal and state laws that prevent kinship caregivers from becoming licensed based on previous criminal convictions. The memo analyzes state laws and policies related to criminal licensing barriers and explores opportunities to change these policies based on the recent federal rule allowing kin-specific licensing standards.

This link downloads an Excel crosswalk tool to help title IV-E agencies compare their current licensing or approval standards with the Kin-Specific Foster Home Approval: Recommended Standards of National Organizations in an effort to identify areas of alignment and identify areas for change to align with these standards.

A practical, agency-ready framework to help define “relative” and “kin” in a way that is inclusive, child-centered, and rigorous, while still ensuring thoughtful safety and placement assessment (June 2026).