Kinship Care

 Kinship care is similar to foster care in that it supports children who can’t live with their family because of concerns related to abuse, neglect or abandonment. With kinship care however, the child is placed with extended family (e.g. grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.) or a person with whom he or she has a significant relationship. Kinship homes provide care for a specific child and do not accept other children as foster children.

Kinship caregivers provide:

  • a child with love and care in a familiar setting
  • parents with a sense of hope that their child will remain connected to their birth family
  • families with a sense of trust, stability and comfort
  • an ability to support and maintain lifelong traditions and memories
  • support to a child in building healthy relationships within the family
  • guidance and reinforcement of a child’s cultural identity and positive self-esteem

Kinship caregivers are expected to:

  • provide a safe and nurturing home to the children in their care
  • meet the needs of the children placed in their home with support from the child’s caseworker
  • attend and complete required assessments and training
  • work closely with their Kinship care worker and the child’s caseworker

If you know a child in government care, you may be eligible to become their kinship caregiver.

Becoming a Kinship Caregiver

There are different ways you can become a kinship caregiver. You may have been asked by a caseworker to care for a child of a relative or friend. In fact, this child may already even be in your care.

As a potential kinship caregiver, you will be asked to complete the following initial checks:

  • an Intervention Record Check
  • a Criminal Record Check
  • a Safety Environment Assessment of your home

You will also be contacted by a kinship care worker who will book a home assessment writer to visit you and your family in your home. A Home Assessment Report is information that is collected about you and your family to process your application to become an approved kinship caregiver.

Use the links below for learn more about becoming a kinship caregiver or contact us at 780-427-9230.

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