September is National Kinship Care Month. In this month’s blog series, we’ll share insights into kinship care and the vital role these caregivers play in the lives of children involved with the child welfare system.
What is Kinship Care?
Kinship care refers to the full-time care of children by relatives or close family friends when they cannot live with their parents due to a variety of circumstances. This type of care provides children with a safe and supportive environment within their extended family network.
According to recent data, around 2.5 million children are being raised in kinship families across the United States. This highlights the vital role that extended families play in offering stability to children during times of uncertainty. For many children, being removed from their home is a frightening and confusing experience.
Being placed with a trusted family member or close family friend helps ease these fears by providing a sense of familiarity and security. Staying within their family network allows children to maintain important connections and feel more grounded during a difficult transition.
Why Kinship Care Matters
Research shows that children in kinship care often experience better outcomes than those in non-relative foster care. They tend to have:
- Greater stability
- Stronger emotional bonds
- Better academic performance
- Improved mental health
This helps maintain important family connections and creates opportunities for rebuilding trust between children and their parents. Ultimately, the goal is for children to reunite with their biological families whenever it is safe to do so. Kinship care is essential in supporting this process, as it provides a more familiar and stable environment that eases the child’s transition while keeping family ties intact.
At Henrico CASA, our volunteer Advocates are dedicated to ensuring the children we serve have a strong, stable support system. If you’re interested in making a difference in the lives of children and families in our community, consider becoming a Henrico CASA volunteer Advocate. Your commitment can provide hope, stability, and a brighter future for children in need. Visit our Advocate page to learn more!
