The ultimate goal for children in foster care is to safely return home in a timely manner. Kin should support the goal of a safe return home, but remain willing to provide a permanent home if that goal cannot be met. Kin can assist families by providing safe, loving environments for the children, being positive role models for the parents, and generally supporting the families through di cult times. It is important to honor families by taking time to understand their dynamics and relationships, and explain the legal process and options. This family-centered problem solving will lead to the best possible decision about the most appropriate permanent families for children.
- Offer all options for legal permanence for the child, including reunification with the parents and subsidized adoption, tribal customary adoption, or guardianship by kin.
- Provide kin families with quality services and supports after the child has become a permanent part of their family through adoption or guardianship.
- Use family-centered team meetings to help families make the best decision about a permanent family for the child, including team decision-making meetings, permanency roundtables, multidisciplinary team meetings, etc.
- Afford the same level of e ort, supports and services to parents as provided to kin caregivers and non-kin foster parents.
Click here to download the full wikiHow guide
Click here to download the full Kinship Promising Practices brief