Kinship Highlights

The FC.org Project is a collaboration of nongovernmental partners.  The partner organizations leading efforts on kinship implementation include the Children's Defense Fund,  "Network Partner" to the FC.org Project, and Jennifer Miller of ChildFocus Partners, Issue Manager for the FC.org Project.  For more information about the Project's partnerships, please see here.   

On this Highlights page you will find information on implementation of the kinship provisions of the Fostering Connections Act, as well as selected resources to support implementers

Implementation Approaches

• The following states have received approval on their state IVE plan amendment for the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP).  Click each state's name to read more.
  • Tennessee (Click for more information)
  • Pennsylvania (Click for more information)
  • Rhode Island (Click for more information)
  • Michigan (Click for more information)
  • Oregon (Click for more information)
  • Montana (Click for more information)
  • New Jersey
  • Illinois
  • Washington, DC
  • Colorado
  • Maine
  • New York (Click for more information)
  • Maryland
  • Alabama
  • Missouri
  • Texas
  • South Dakota
  • Nebraska
  • Hawai'i
    
  • Alaska
  • Washington
  • Idaho
  • Massachusetts
  • Louisiana
  • Connecticut
  • Wisconsin
  • California
  • Arkansas
  • Oklahoma
  • Vermont

• See Implementation News for more state-specific examples of kinship implementation.

 

Selected Kinship Resources

Federal Guidance
The Children's Bureau provides a very helpful document intended to serve as a reference for stakeholders interested in locating Children's Bureau (CB) policy, guidance and other implementation activities related to the Fostering Connections

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.

Kinship Toolkit

The FC.org's Kinship Network, led by the Children’s Defense Fund and Child Focus, has developed a Fostering Connections 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.

General information about Kinship

• 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

Guardianship Assistance Program Tools

States are making important progress in helping children leave foster care to permanent homes with relatives by taking advantage of the federal Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP).

• Five Key Questions to Assess the Fiscal Impact of the Guardianship Assistance Program
• Making the Case for the Guardianship Assistance Program
• Myths and Facts Related to Use of the Guardianship Assistance Program
• Sample State Legislation to Implement the Guardianship Assistance Program
• Sample Guardianship Assistance Agreement
• Guide to Using the Guardianship Assistance Agreement
• Checklist for Guardianship Assistance Program

Identification and Notice Tools

• Sample Letter for Notice to Relatives
• Key Considerations for Implementing Notice to Relatives
• Checklist for Identification of and Notice to Relatives

 

For a full list of Kinship Resources, see here.