Kinship/Guardianship Resources

• Fostering Connections Implementation Surveys 2009
  In partnership with Casey Family Programs, the National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators has surveyed all 50 states and the District of Columbia on their implementation of Fostering Connections.
• Summary by ACF/DHHS of the Title IV-E Child Welfare Waiver Demonstrations
  An overview of the Title IV-E Child Welfare Waiver Demonstrations submitted to the Administration for Children and Families.
• Making It Work: Using the Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP) to Close the Permanency Gap for Children in Foster Care
  A new report examines the benefits of Title IV-E GAP and best practices in states implementing the Guardianship Assistance Programs.
• The Kinship Toolkit
  A comprehensive Kinship Tool Kit that includes several resources designed to assist states that are still considering whether to apply for GAP funding and how to make the case for the investment. The toolkit also includes resources to help states implement the GAP option and identification and notice requirements and answer questions regarding all of the provisions that will affect children being raised by grandparents and other relatives.
• Family Finding: Does implementation differ when serving different populations?
  The first in a three part series about what was learned during the evaluation of the Family Finding model, a model used when searching for kin. Before successful replication and adaptation of family finding services can occur, additional examination of the program models and how they differ across sites needs to occur.
• Piecing Together the Puzzle: Tips and Techniques for Effective Discovery in Family Finding
  The second in a three part series about what was learned during the evaluation of the Family Finding model, a model used when searching for kin. This brief examines the discovery component of the model and identifies promising techniques and tools that family finding workers reported using to help facilitate the discovery of family members or other important people in the child's life.
• Bringing the family to the table: Tips and Techniques for Effective Family Engagement
  The third in a three part series about what was learned during the evaluation of the Family Finding model, a model used when searching for kin. This brief presents findings from the site visits, focusing specifically on the engagement process, the second component of the model. The brief describes current practice in the sites and identifies promising techniques, common challenges, and potential solutions to engaging family members and/or other important people in the child's life.
• National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections
  This National Child Welfare Resource Center is funded by the Children's Bureau and is part of the Training and Technical Assistance Network administered by the Children's Bureau. It also hosts a website dedicated to the Fostering Connections Act.
• List of States with Approved Kinship Guardianship Assistance Plans
  See this list for states with approved IV-E state plan amendments authorizing Kinship Guardianship Assistance Programs. Related state policy information is also available.
• WEBINAR: Fostering Connections through Kinship / Guardianship
  A powerpoint presentation from the June 17, 2010 webinar on Fostering Connections through Kinship / Guardianship led by the Children's Defense Fund and ChildFocus.
• Questions and Answers from the Fostering Connections through Kinship Webinar
• A Guide to Using the Guardianship Assistance Agreement
  A guide to using the Guardianship Assistance Agreement created by Children's Defense Fund and ChildFocus.
• Five Key Questions to Assess the Fiscal Impact of the Guardianship Assistance Program
  States are obligated to achieve permanence for children in foster care who cannot return home or be adopted. The new federal Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP) can help states achieve permanence, particularly for those children living with relatives.
• Guardianship Assistance Program Checklist
  A checklist for implementing a Guardian Assistance Program.
• Identification of and Notice to Relatives Checklist
  A checklist for implementing relative notification.
• Making the Case for the Guardianship Assistance Program
  Information on fiscal and permanency outcomes in regards to implementing Guardianship Assistance Programs.
• Sample Guardianship Assistance Agreement
  A sample guardianship assistance agreement for states to use.
• Myths and Facts Related to the Use of Guardianship Assistance Programs
  Some myths and facts about Guardianship Assistance Programs.
• Sample Notice Letter
  A sample letter of relative notification.
• Key Considerations for Implementing the Notice Requirement of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act
  This publication outlines the law's requirements with respect to providing notice of placement to relatives within 30 days of a child's removal from the custody of a parent. It also covers key considerations for states and tribes implementing this provision.
• Sample State Legislation on Federal Kinship Guardianship Assistance Option
  This sample legislation outlines the components that are required by the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 in order for a state or tribe to operate a federally supported kinship guardianship assistance program.
• The Grandfamilies State Law and Policy Resource Center Website
  A national legal resource created to educate individuals about state laws and legislation in support of grandfamilies and to assist interested state legislators, advocates, caregivers, attorneys, and other policymakers in exploring policy options to support relatives and the children in their care both within and outside the child welfare system.
• State Child Welfare Policy Database: Kinship Care
  A website with state-by-state policy information about kinship care. Visitors can view individual state policies and compare one state's policies to those of other states.
• Pursuing Permanence for Children in Foster Care: Issues and Options for Establishing a Federal Guardianship Assistance Program in New York State
  Provides an overview of the options for New York State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Programs.
• New Help for Children Raised by Grandparents and Other Relatives: Questions and Answers About the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008
  This question and answer guide aims to ensure full and prompt implementation of the improvements in the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act for children being raised by grandparents and other relatives.
• What Court Systems Need to Know: Overview and Kinship Provisions
  The National Resource Center on Legal and Judicial Issues (NRCLJI) has posted a PowerPoint presentation as part of its webinar series on the Fostering Connections Act. "What Court Systems Need to Know: Overview and Kinship Provisions" is accessible on its homepage under "In the News."
• Funding Opportunity: Family Connection Grants: Using Family Group Decision-making to Build Protective Factors for Children and Families
  The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF) recently announced a grant opportunity under funding from the Fostering Connections to Success and Improving Adoptions Act of 2008. The funding announcement is entitled, Family Connection Grants: Using Family Group Decision-making to Build Protective Factors for Children and Families. The purpose of this funding is to support demonstration projects that test the effectiveness of family group decision-making as a service approach that prevents children from entering foster care, thereby reducing the time that these children and families are involved with the child welfare system. The due date for this grant is July 27th.
• Relative Foster Care Licensing Waivers in the States: Policies and Possibilities
  This document covers relative licensing waivers for foster care. It discusses examples of what states are doing, and options that states have.
• Ten Steps Public Child Welfare Agencies Can Take to Support Children in Safe and Stable Kinship Families
  Lists ten steps public Child Welfare agencies can take to support children in safe and stable kinship families.
• Team Decisionmaking Can Support Safe and Stable Kinship Care: A Guide for Using TDM to Identify, Educate, and Engage Kinship Families
  This guide seeks to help agencies understand the provisions of the Fostering Connections Act, understand how TDM teams can support effective implementation, and advocate for kinship systems that can help support quality kinship care.
• Making Relative Search Happen
  This guide by ChildFocus provides useful tips for public agencies seeking to find and involve relatives at every stage of the child welfare process
• Guidance from Children's Bureau on Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program
  The Program Instruction ACYF-CB-PI-10-01 issued on February 18, 2010 supersedes earlier instructions (ACYF-CB-PI-08-07 issued on December 24, 2008). Under the new Program Instruction, states and tribes electing the KinGAP option and seeking to claim federal funding for children in guardianship arrangements prior to approval of the plan amendment must notify ACF of their plans to do so.
• Resources from CDF on policies and programs related to Fostering Connections Act
  An array of resources by the Children's Defense Fund on policies and programs related to the Fostering Connections Act.
• Resources from CLASP on policies and programs related to the Fostering Connections Act
  An array of resources by the Center for Law and Social Policy on policies and programs related to the Fostering Connections Act.
• Resources from CWLA on policies and programs related to the Fostering Connections Act
  An array of resources by the Child Welfare League of America on policies and programs related to the Fostering Connections Act.
• Child Welfare Information Gateway: Fostering Connections Act
  Information about the Fostering Connections Act from the Child Welfare Information Gateway and the Administration for Children & Families
• Summary and Section-by-Section Description of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (H.R. 6893)
  This memorandum provides a section-by-section overview of major provisions included in the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008.
• Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoption Act of 2008: New Opportunities for Children in Foster Care and Beyond.
  This Powerpoint presentation provides an introduction to the new law, background on key provisions, the potential impact on children and families, and an information to guide implementation.
• Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act: Implementation Issues and a Look Ahead at Additional Child Welfare Reforms
  This brief summarizes the Fostering Connections Act and examines implementation issues.
• Comprehensive overview of ACF-PI-10-11
  This powerpoint by the Children's Bureau is a comprehensive overview of ACF-PI-10-11, which provides title IV-E agencies information on the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, P.L. 110-351.
• Eyes Wide Open: Adhereing to the Fostering Connections Law and Confronting Barriers to Interjurisdictional Placements
  This document covers international family finding efforts as it relates to the Fostering Connections Act.
• Report: Waivers of non-safety licensing standards
  The Administration for Children and Families released a report to Congress on state relative foster family homes and the use of licensing waivers.
• International Family Finding: Quick Tips for Finding Relatives Across the Globe
  This document includes tips for international family finding efforts.
• The Story Project: Kinship
  Staff at FC.org spent time talking with state and county child welfare officials, and also with families served by child welfare systems, to document their stories of how the Fostering Connections Act has brought about positive change.
• Child Welfare: The Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act (P.L. 112-34)
  On September 30, 2011, President Obama signed into law the Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act, H.R. 2883. This document is a summary of the law, by the Congressional Research Service.
• Are Subsidized Guardianships Making a Positive Difference for Kids? Early Evidence from the Field
  The Center for Public Policy Practices has released a new report on the effects of Subsidized Guardianships through the Fostering Connections Act in Texas.