Kin-Specific Foster Care Licensing

This guidebook, developed by our partners at the National Indian Child Welfare Association, particularly Subject Matter Expert Terry L. Cross, MSW, ACSW, LCSW and Mariah Meyerholz, MSW, discusses several important considerations and suggests a process through which tribes can develop locally appropriate standards. It is based on the premise that foster care standards, including care by relatives, are most useful when developed by the tribal community in which they will be used and when a broad segment of that community participates in the development and implementation process.

Download the presentation 

View the webinar recording

View the October 11, 2023 webinar which provided an overview of the new federal rule allowing all title IV-E child welfare agencies to adopt kin-specific foster care licensing standards, thus allowing more children to be cared for by financially supported kin they know and love. The webinar rolled out a new national set of recommendations and featured national kinship experts as well as state child welfare leaders in support of the rule change. 

Brief explanation of federal rule releaseed 9/28/23 that allows title IV-E agenceis to develop kin-specific licensing or approval standards. Contains a link where you can provide feedback on these standards and implementation guidance.

Overview of federal rule released on 9/28/23 that allows child welfare agencies to use kin-specific licensing or approval standards. Describes what the rule does and doesn't mean, and provides resources to help implement the rule.

This toolkit was developed to support child and parent attorneys' advocacy for kinship placements for their clients/client’s children through trial and appellate advocacy, as well as outside of the court setting. This toolkit includes federal and state law and policy resources, and a comprehensive overview of social science articles and research studies on the benefits of kinship care.