Interventions and Services that Promote Kinship Caregivers' Ability to Enhance Child Wellbeing and Permanency

Abstract

By Anastacia Isaacs, Social Work

Advisor: Anjanette Wells

Awards: Project Advisor Award: Excellence in Research Mentoring

Presentation ID: 77

Abstract: Since the implementation of the 2008 Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act's which requires Child Protective Services (CPS) agencies to notify relatives of a children's placement in foster care. Kinship care has become the fast-growing preferred alternative to traditional foster care with licensed providers. Kinship care has allowed abused/neglected children to live in a seemly familiar environment with relatives, family friends, and neighbors. This has helped to create stability and reduce trauma for the child. However, more and more kinship providers are requesting children in care to be reassigned due to their inability to care for the child. This is a failure on CPS agencies as they have not established practice to prepare kinship providers for the task of caring for a traumatized child. This research study aims to initiate a prototype that can be used to promote kinship caregiver's ability to enhance child wellbeing and permanency. Keywords: Reentry, Kinship Care, Traditional Kinship, Non-Traditional Kinship, Foster Care, Permanency, Guardianship, Child Protective Services (CPS), Primary Household