Creating stability for vulnerable children through Kinship Care
Children are more likely to feel attached, loved, connected, and confident through continued family relationships and improved stability. This results in empowerment and eventual self-sustainability.
About 42% of kids in foster care in Texas are in the care of their “kin” or blood-related family
Kinship care is the care of children by relatives, or in some locations, close family friends are referred to as “fictive kin.”
Children who remain with family, in foster care or adoption situations, tend to have a greater sense of belonging and acceptance, which in turn promotes stability.
Sounds simple, right? No, nothing is ever simple when it involves a child who has been separated from their biological parents. And even if the child has the opportunity to live with biological family temporarily, it is still an adjustment for everyone involved. There can be a lot of emotions, fears, or concerns when stepping into a season of kinship care. Biological families may feel their lives have been disrupted or they aren’t prepared to take on more responsibilities. While these feelings are natural, you have to remember that children are the ones who are most affected.
Support is available for families serving through Kinship Care
In 2024, 39 percent of children (127,449) in the U.S. foster care system were placed with relatives or kin caregivers.
For every one child living with kin in foster care, there are roughly 18 to 20 children being raised by kin outside the foster care system in informal or private arrangements.
Kinship caregivers, most commonly grandparents, often assume this role due to family issues of substance use, incarceration, or financial hardship. Kinship caregivers provide stability and preserve family connections, but frequently encounter financial strain, legal uncertainties, and limited access to support services
What resources are available for Kinship Care?
Learn what financial and support resources are available to families.
Financial support
When Kinship caregivers choose to become a licensed foster care home, you gain access to financial support to help care for your kin's child(ren).
Insurance support
When relatives become a licensed foster family and remains in good standing for 6 months, you become eligible for a monthly financial stipend and medical insurance until the child turns 18.
Community support
Buckner connects you to other Kinship families and provides ongoing support groups across the state. You are not alone in this journey.
Kinship Care helps provide positive outcomes for children in child protective services
These are just a few of the results that Kinship Care can help provide for children.
Emotional stability and trust
Being separated from biological parents is traumatic regardless of the reason. Kinship Care can help provide a potential level of familiarity and trust for the children.
Preserves cultural identity
Retaining family and cultural identity is important for felt-safety, stability, and one less thing that creates fear or a loss of control.
Minimized disruptions
Fewer moves to temporary homes creates more permanency and stability for children who have been separated from their biological parents.
Improved education outcomes
Trauma impacts focus and concentration. Providing a stable, and safe environment for children can lead to better grades and completion of educational requirements.
Stronger sibling bonds
Being separated from biological parents is traumatic, but if siblings are separated into different foster homes, it results in even more emotional loss and grief for children.
Reduced re-entry to CPS
Having a family connection can greatly reduce the risk of children going back into the foster care system.
Is Kinship Care right for you?
On average, obtaining Kinship licensure takes 4 to 6 months. Learn more about basic requirements and our service areas.
Submit this form to have someone contact you.