SERVICE NEEDS FOR KINSHIP CAREGIVERS
DATA COLLECTION Publicly available data collection on outcomes that are disaggregated by race, ethnicity, age and region is key to forming policies that support keeping children with kin. This helps illuminate where disparities and gaps exist, whether that be for a specific population, geographic region, or age group. Unfortunately, statewide data surrounding family finding and kinship care is nonexistent. The state is not required to provide any data publicly to describe family finding efforts made by county agencies or the number of connections they located, connections to kin or siblings, approval or denial of kin or ways to support children in kin placements. While each of the 67 counties have their own case management system that collects a multitude of indicators, there is no current mechanism of requiring that information be provided to the state for analysis and public dissemination.
The services available to kin differ depending on whether they are formally approved by the child welfare agency or raising the child informally – informal caregivers must access available local and state resources independently, while formal kinship caregivers have access to some of those same community services in addition to the ability to access services provided by the county child welfare agency. Providing accessible and high-quality services is important to making formal kinship arrangements possible and sustainable. Ensuring a robust array of general and specialized services is vital to increasing the use of kinship care in Pennsylvania. When kin step up to take on the care of a child, county agencies and communities should support and invest in that family. To increase the number of kinship care arrangements for youth in care so they can achieve permanency and to support kin who provide care informally, targeted services and supports should be implemented or expanded. Some of these services include: 4 Targeted assistance so that kin can meet regulatory requirements to become an approved foster parent 4 Respite care 4 Crisis response 4 Specialized clinical services for youth and families, including flexible and specialized trainings 4 Case management and coordination, especially to ensure support for families with youth with special needs 4 Eligibility for transition to adulthood services and supports 4 Support groups for kin
CREATING A FAIRER SYSTEM FOR FAMILIES
Family connections that help children and youth thrive, provide identity and security, and tie them to culture and traditions are necessary for the heathy development of every child. When it comes to kinship care in Pennsylvania, the child welfare system must work harder to give every child or youth who must be removed from the home – particularly those who have experienced abuse, trauma or neglect the chance to remain with family or friends they know and trust. Placement considerations with kin who have a significant relationship with the child or the child’s family always should be made first - whether with blood relatives or those by marriage or adoption, a godparent or a member of the child’s tribe. Those kin connections mean better outcomes for children and youth down the road, and the Commonwealth should make it a priority to implement the recommendations set forth in this report, and strive to be a national leader in putting families first.
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Kinship Care in Pennsylvania: Creating an Equitable System for Families – January 2021
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