KINSHIP FOSTER CARE AND LICENSING IN PA
Introduction to Kinship Care
Kinship care is the placement of a child or adolescent with someone that they have a biological, or intreactional relationship with such as a coach, teacher, or family friend.
Becoming a kinship caregiver means to take on the fulltime care, nurturing, and protection of a child who is close to them.
Across Pennsylvania, there are over 202,000 children who are living in a household headed by a relative. It is also said that for every one child in kinship foster care, 18 children are being raised by relatives outside of the system.
Grandparents and other loved ones often step in for youth as primary caregivers whenever their parents are unable to care for them. This can be for reasons such as neglect, economic harship, divorce, substance abuse, domestic violence, incarceration, illness, or even death.
Your Role as a Kinship Caregiver
As a kinship caregiver, you play a vital role in helping ease a life transition for an adolescent during times of confusion and uncertainity. Kinship care has proven to reduce the trauma caused during these times, which is why it is so important!
By providing a familiar, loving, and safe environment, kinship caregivers offer children the stability and sense of normalcy that are essential for healthy development.
These Kinship caregivers meet the needs of a child physically, and emotionally. They help the child feel supported, connected, and understood while navigating challenges—ensuring the child never feels alone during this journey.
Why Kinship Care?
Kinship placements are a preferred option because they help maintain cultural traditions, and community or family connections, while minimizing the trauma caused by separation.
Research has shown that children who are in kinship homes are more likely to stay connected to their extended family, and maintain their previous customs.
Kinship care also has shown better behavioral and mental health outcomes for children in care.
When a child forms a close, dependable bond with a caring adult, it can transform their emotional well‑being and give them the foundation they need to flourish as they grow into adulthood
How does LifeSpan support Kinship Caregivers?
LifeSpan understands that kinship caregivers may face unique challenges and barriers when stepping into this important role.
To help ease these difficulties, LifeSpan provides a variety of supports designed to remove obstacles and strengthen kinship families.
LifeSpan does this by offering assistance with safety requirements, providing reimbursements, supporting daily living needs, and delivering a comprehensive training program to help caregivers feel confident and prepared.
Types of Kinship Care
Informal Kinship Care occurs when a child is placed with a relative or close family friend without involving the child welfare system.
In these arrangements, the child is not in the legal custody of Children and Youth Services (CYS), and families make private caregiving arrangements when a parent is temporarily or permanently unable to care for their child.
This type of kinship care has existed for generations and often happens naturally within families. Some examples include grandparents raising grandchildren, aunts and uncles stepping in during a crisis, or close family friends providing stability when it's needed most.
Informal kinship care typically does not involve state agencies or the legal system.
Formal Kinship Care occurs when a child is in the legal custody of the state and is placed with a relative or someone with whom the child has a significant, pre-existing relationship.
In these cases, Children and Youth Services is involved, and the kinship caregiver goes through an approval process similar to traditional foster care.
Formal kinship caregivers may receive financial support, access to services, and legal protections that are not available in informal arrangements.
Have questions about becoming a licensed Kinship Caregiver?
A placing agency that identifies an appropriate kinship home for a child may submit a referral to LifeSpan to coplete approval and licensure process. LifeSpan works to ensure comprehensive supportmeasures are in place to strengthen connections and bridge the gap between the kinshop foster home and the child's parents.
LifeSpan will provide smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, escape ladders, first aid supplies, and more.
LifeSpan will reimburse the cost of required clearances and well water testing for licensing.
LifeSpan will assist families with cribs, car seats, and other items upon request.
LifeSpan aims to help families navigate any questions and state requirements. Lifespan will offer individualized training to meet the needs of the kinship caregiver and the individual child.
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