Kinship Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Generations United released several racial equity tool kits that feature grandfamilies-related content on racism, bias, and injustice in the juvenile justice system, policing, and courts, and how they impact Black and Brown people. The first, created in partnership with the National Indian Child Welfare Association, focuses on American Indian and Alaskan Native grandfamilies. The second focuses on African American grandfamilies. The most recent toolkit is focused on Latino grandfamilies, and is also available in Spanish.

ChildTrends article describing a study that examined the impact of caregiving on Black kinship caregivers. The study found that, while several informal kinship caregivers reported higher levels of stress due to their caregiver role, caregivers’ support networks helped them productively manage this stress by encouraging self-care practices. The article argues that prevention and intervention services that aim to improve caregivers’ stress should include efforts to promote their self-care. 

Information memorandum describing notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) about ensuring safe and appropriate placements for LGBTQ+ youth in foster care. The full NPRM includes language stating: "We note that a title IV–E agency shall consider giving preference to an adult relative over a non-related caregiver when determining an out-of-home placement for a child, provided that the relative caregiver meets all relevant state or tribal child protection standards (section 471(a)(19) of the Act). HHS invites public comment on how agencies can best comply with the requirements of this proposed rule and prioritize placements with kinship caregivers. In particular, HHS invites public comment on what resources agencies may need from HHS to support kinship caregivers in caring for an LGBTQI+ child.” The rule was finalized on April 30, 2024, and was planned to go into effect on July 1, 2024, but implementation has been stalled by ongoing litigation about the rule's legality.

2023 study by the University of Illinois School of Social Work Children and Family Research Center that reports findings from interviews with kin caregivers of Black children and youth. The study examines how caregivers and child welfare professionals in Illinois have experienced permanency planning and different permanency options, and their perceptions of racial issues in permanency planning and outcomes. The study found that caregivers who chose guardianship were equally committed to providing permanent support as were those who chose adoption. It also found a need for more systemic and professional capacity for the agency to facilitate substitute care and permanency planning, and a need for more support to kin caregivers.