In honor of April being Child Abuse Awareness month we wanted to highlight kinship are and the role it plays in prevention and positive outcomes for children. In May of 2022 The Child Welfare Information Gateway published an article regarding the benefits of family placement for children and much of this information was taken from there. A citation is listed below.
As a kinship caregiver, life is hectic and overwhelming at times and its hard to recognize the good and important work you are doing on a daily basis. Here are some proven outcomes that kinship care presents for our children.
Minimizes Trauma- You are creating a safe home and often helping maintain connections to familiar supports, environments, and people. This minimizes further trauma and helps them heal from the trauma they’ve experienced.
Preserves cultural identity- You are helping them remain close to their culture. This can lead to greater self- esteem, high education levels, improved coping abilities, and decreased levels of loneliness and depression.
Increases placement stability- Children placed in kinship care are less likely to experience as many moves and disruptions as those in traditional foster care placement.
Improves behavioral outcomes- Children in kinship care display fewer behavioral problems than those in traditional foster care placement.
Promotes Sibling ties- There is a higher likelihood of children remaining with their siblings and/ or maintaining relationships in kinship care.
As kinship caregivers you are doing all of these amazing things listed above. You are making a huge difference in the lives of your kinship children. If you don’t feel like you are and need support, we are here to assist you. This April and every day, know you are doing an amazing job helping prevent child abuse and neglect.
Information from: Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2022). Kinship care and the child welfare system. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau.
