Department of Health and Human Services 

OFFICE OF


INSPECTOR GENERAL


STATE PRACTICES IN USING RELATIVES


FOR FOSTER CARE


..v 

Richard P. Kusserow 

INSPECTOR GENERAL ( J GEl -06-90-02391 

,Ja 
, 

EXECUTIVE SUMMAR Y


PURPOSE 

The purpose of this study is to provide detaled infonnation on how each State uses 

reviews, and supports foster homes provided by relatives of those children in the legal 

custody of State child welfare agencies. It describes the experience and policies of the 

fifty States and the Distrct of Columbia concernng the use, approval, monitorig, and social service and financial support of extended famly members in the child welfare 

system. It also summarzes the legal arangements available to relatives who assume 

pennanent care for these children. 

BACKGROUND 

The practice of placing children for whom the State is legally responsible with extended 

famly members is not a new one. Child welfare agencies have long used " specific" foster 

homes drawn from famlies' infonnal support networks to care for children in their legal 

custody. l In such placements, adults with biological or emotional ties to children were 

approved to care for only those parcular children. Stadards for approving these homes 

were less fonnal, if not less strngent, and services and financial support were based on 

individual case assessments rather than entitlement though policy. 

Clear policy and anecdota evidence indicates, however, such placements were considered a 

last resort in many State child welfare systems and were actively discouraged in others. 

Certnly the use of " specific" foster homes was considered less withn the limts of agency 

policies than more traditional placements with foster parents having no previous 

relationship to the child. For example, in some States, children placed with relatives, 

whatever their legal status vis-a-vis the State child welfare agency, were frequently 

considered the responsibilty of the Assistace Payments staff who often supervised Aid to 

Famlies with Dependent Children payments to the relatives. The role of these placements in the child welfare system was rarely clear in either policy or practice. Their limited 

numbers allowed public policy makers to avoid developing clear, consistent policies in ths 

area. 

As indicated in our companion report 2 most States have experienced increases in the 

proporton of children in foster care placed with extended famly members over the last 

decade. Largely as a result of State attempts to implement the requirements of the 

1 Lewis, Robert and Mark Fraser Blending Fonnal and Infonnal Networks in Foster Care 

Children and Youth Services Review, vol. 9, pp. 153-69, 1987. 

2 "Using Relatives for Foster Care " OEI-06-90-02390, June 1992. 
Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-272) and the Indian Child 

Welfare Act of 1978 (pL. 95-608), child welfare staff began to look more frequently to 

relatives as a source of temporar care for children in the custody of their agencies. 

Furter, lack of adequate numbers of more traditional foster parents has forced States to 

examne many "new" options for substitute care. Among these are placements with 

relatives, either as regular foster homes or under speci ized care arangements. 

Relative foster-care placements have increased faster than the abilty of regulatory 

processes to address their unique characteristics. Additionally, litigation concernng 

relative foster parents' rights in some States has resulted in more fonnal policy 

requirements for pars of the foster-care process, while leaving related processes largely 

unregulated. 

Without fully developed policy support for staff and administrative decision-makng 

concerng such placements, State child-welfare agencies have been coping with growing 

proportons of children cared for by relatives in the last several years. The dilemma of 

most State agencies now is how to regulate this relative foster-care arangement so as to 

offer adequate protection and support to the children for whom they are responsible, while 

avoidig requirements that undermne the goals of extended family care or of other famly 

support and services programs. 

Many States now are attempting to develop policies that address the issues raised by 

relative foster-care placements. Review of how different States have addressed regulatory 

and practice questions may be helpful to States involved in policy development or 

examation. 

SCOPE 

The focus of our research was children, in the legal custody of the States ' primar child 

and famly service agencies, who were placed with individuals related to them by blood or 

law. The study was limited to State legislation, policies, other legal constraints, and data 

from agency infonnation systems. 

METHODOLOGY 

In order to describe States' legal frameworks for using relative foster-care parents and to 

determne current official practice, we conducted telephone interviews with public fostercare officials in each of the fifty States and the Distrct of Columbia (hereafter referred to 

as a State). In the interviews, we discussed with these offcials the laws, policies, and 

procedures of the chief child welfare agencies in each State regarding use, monitorig and 

support of relative foster-care providers. We also requested copies of written materials on 

unique aspects of programs. 
From these interviews, we developed draft summares of State policies in terms of use 

approval and monitoring, financial and other support services and permanency options. 

We submitted these summares to State agency admiistrators for their review and 

verification. When there were serious discrepancies between the information from the 

original interview and the State-corrected summar, we contacted admstrators by 

telephone to resolve the differences. Because there is so little formal policy in ths area 

some agency requirements and practices could not be fully determned. States from which 

agency staf did not submit verication or corrections are printed in the report in 
 italics. 

SUMRY OF STATE POLICIES AND PRACTICES 

Most States have policies requirng staff to explore foster care by relatives as a potential 

temporar placement. Over half of States go furer than this and require staf to consider 

relatives as the most preferable placement for children in foster care. Two States have 

policies that discourage State assumption of legal custody for children who can be cared 

for by relatives, preferrng that the relatives themselves assume custody of the children. 

The proporton of children in the custody of State child welfare agencies placed with 

relatives has increased demonstrably in 18 States, and was perceived by admistrators to 

have increased in an additional 17 States. The reasons for these increases vared 

enormously among the states, but the following thee were the most frequently reported: 

State policies that encourage placements with relatives; 

the shortge of more traditional foster famly homes; and 

litigation which has brought large numbers of previously established 

placements with relatives into regular State foster-care program statistics. 

Twenty States license, or approve as licensable, all or most relative foster homes. The 

remaining States may license some relative foster homes, but use less formal and less 

strgent review mechansms for some or all relatives ' homes. In these States the licensing 

status of the home is frequently related either to the relatives ' desire to secure foster-care 

maintenance payments (for which licensing is usually a prerequisite) or to relatives 

willigness to meet certain State licensing requirements. 

In all but two States, licensing (or approval) is a requirement for receipt of foster-care 

payments. Some States add additional requirements. Nine States reimburse relatives only if the placement is eligible for Federal foster-care funds, i.e., only if the home is licensed 

the child was eligible for Aid to Famlies with Dependent Children (AFDC) while living 

with his/her parents, and legal custody requirements have been met. In all States, most 

children in the custody of the State child welfare agency are covered by medical assistance 

programs. Exclusions from social services, when they exist, usually are related to the 

licensing status of the relatives' homes rather than directly to the relationship to the child. 
All States allow adoption by relatives, and wil consider such adoptive arangements for 

adoption subsidies. All but two States allow guardianship or permanent legal custody to 

transfer to relatives; but in four States the cours so rarely grant guardianship, that State agency personnel do not consider it a realistic option. Famly members who secure 

custody of related children lose foster-care payments, but five offer subsidies to assist 

relatives in assuming guardianship for children. 
 In some States, continuing care by a 

relative is recognized as a permanent foster-care outcome which results in diminished 

agency and court intervention in the placement. In all but two States, however, children 

who must remain in the legal custody of State child welfare agencies and the physical care 

of relatives are considered in long-term or continuing foster care. 
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . .. . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. .. .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ... . .. . .. . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

.. .

TABLE OF CONTENTS


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

SUMMARY OF STATE PROFIES 

STATE PROFIES 

Alabama 

Alaska. 

Arzona 

Arkansas 

Californa 

Colorado 

Connecticut 

Delaware. . . .

Distrct of Columbia 

Florida 

Georgia 

Hawaii 

Idaho 

illiois. 

Indiana 

Iowa 

Kansas 

Kentucky 

Louisiana. . 

Maine 

Marland. . 

Massachusetts 

Michigan. . . 

Minnesota 

Mississippi 

Missouri 

Montaa 

Nebraska 

Nevada 

New Hampshire 

New Jersey 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. ...... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .... .. .. .. ..

New Mexico 

New York 

Nort Carolina


Nort Dakota


Ohio 

Oklahoma 

Oregon 

Pennsylvana 

Rhode Island 

South Carolina 

South Dakota 

Tennessee 

Texas 

Uta 

Vermont 

Virginia. . 

Washington .........


West Virginia. 

Wisconsin 

Wyoming. . . 
SUMMARY STATE PROFILES


Most States have policies requirng staff to explore foster care by relatives as a potential 

temporar placement. Over half of States go furer than ths and require staf to consider 

relatives as the most preferable placement for children in foster care. Two States have 

policies that discourage State assumption of legal custody for children who can be cared 

for by relatives, preferrng that the relatives themselves assume custody of the children. 

The proporton of children in the custody of State child welfare agencies placed with 

relatives has increased demonstrably in 18 States, and was perceived by administrators to 

have increased in an additional 17 States. The reasons for these increases vared 

enormously among the states, but the following thee were the most frequently reported: 

. State policies that encourage placements with relatives; 

. the shortge of more traditional foster famly homes; and 

litigation which has brought large numbers of previously established placements 

with relatives into regular State foster-care program statistics. 

Twenty States license, or approve as licensable, all or most relative foster homes. The 

remaining States may license some relative foster homes, but use less formal and less 

strgent review mechansms for some or all relatives ' homes. In these States the licensing 

status of the home is frequently related either to the relatives ' desire to secure foster-care 

maintenance payments (for which licensing is usually a prerequisite) or to relatives 

wilingness to meet certn State licensing requirements. 

In all but two States, licensing (or approval) is a requirement for receipt of foster-care 

payments. Some States add additional requirements. Nine States reimburse relatives only 

if the placement is eligible for Federal foster-care funds , i.e., only if the home is licensed 

the child was eligible for Aid to Famlies with Dependent Children (AFDC) while living 

with his/her parents, and legal custody requirements have been met. In all States, most 

children in the custody of the State child welfare agency are covered by medical assistance 

programs. Exclusions from social services, when they exist, usually are related to the 

licensing status of the relatives ' homes rather than directly to the relationship to the child. 

All States allow adoption by relatives, and wil consider such adoptive arangements for 

adoption subsidies. All but two States allow guardianship or permanent legal custody to 

transfer to relatives; but in four States the courts so rarely grant guardianship, that State agency personnel do not consider it a realistic option. Famly members who secure 

custody of related children lose foster-care payments, but five offer subsidies to assist 

relatives in assuming guardianship for children. In some States, contiuing care by a 

relative is recognized as a permanent foster-care outcome which results in diminished 

agency and court intervention in the placement. In all but two States, however, children 

who must remain in the legal custody of State child welfare agencies and the physical care 

of relatives are considered in long-term or continuing foster care. 
The table on page 3 summarzes State policies and practices in five main areas: the 

State s policy concernng the use of relatives, the documented or perceived trend in the 

proporton of children placed with relatives, the mechanism for approving homes as safe 

and adequate, requirements for receipt of full foster-care maintenance, and available 

permanency options. Below is important information for reading the table. 

The five-year trend in the proporton of children placed with relatives is described for al States. 

For some States, detennnation of the diection of the trend was based upon data system reports of 

the actual number of chidren in relative placements. In other States, because data for the five yeas 

could not be retreved trend descriptions are based upon estiates of State foster care 

admistrators. Trends based on data are indicate by a solid circle (-); trends based upon 

admnistrtors ' estimates are indicated by open circles (0). States in which admstrators could not 

provide data or estimates are identified by question marks (???). 

States which license only relatives who wish to care for non-related children in addition to extended 

famly members are not considered as licensing relatives. The licensing categories are defmed as 

follows: 

Licensing - a process defined in policy though which State child welfare agencies review 

specific characteristics of individuals and their homes, attest that the individuals can provide a 

safe and secure home for children in foster care and therefore can have offcial pennssion to 

provide foster care. States may call this process licensing, certfication, or approval. 

Approval - a process defined in policy which attests that a home meets most or al licensing 

criteria but fals short of routine licensure/certfication; grants limited pennssion to provide 

foster care only to a specifc child or children.


Formal Review - a process defined in policy or official procedures which detennnes the 

safety and suitabilty of potential relative foster famly homes. Homes are assessed using 

certn pre-defined stadads which are more flexible than licensing criteria. 

Unspecified Review - a process not offcially defined for assessing the general safety and 

suitabilty of relative foster famly homes. 

Required for support (RQ' D FOR SUPPORT) in the table refers to charcteristics of foster care 

placements which offcial State policies require in order for relative foster parents to receive foster 

car maintenance payments. The foster care maintenance payments may be solely State-provided 

or, when placements are licensed and meet al other Title IV-E requirements, may have some level 

of Federa Financial Parcipation. In most States, relatives not receiving foster care maitenance 

payments may be eligible for AFC on behalf of children in their care. The cha does not present 

requirements for receiving such income support assistace. 

Guardianship refers to guardianship by the relative. This category also includes the trsfer of 

temporar or pennanent legal custody to the relative. 

Long-term foster care includes continued recognized foster care by the relative and pennanent 

foster care as a legaly recognized foster-care pennanent planning outcome. 

Readers are cautioned that State policies and practices vary widely. Please refer to 

an individual State s profie for information on how that State operates its specific 

programs. 
. . . . . ... . . ,, . ... . .. . ...... ... .. . .. ..... 

.. ..... ::. ,j . ... 

. ..... . .. . .. . .. ? ? ,j ,j ..... . .... ...... . . .... .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . .. %. ... . . . .. . ... . .. ,, . . ... . . .... . ...% ,j ..... .. .. ... ... 

. ... . ... . ..... 

. ... . ... . ... . . . ... . .... . ... . ... . ........ . ... ....... . . ! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

 

. . . . 

SUMARY OF STATE PRACTICES 

IN RELATIV FOSTER CARE 

POLICY ON USE\.S-YEAR APPROVAL; REQ'D FOR PERMANENCY 

OF RELATIVES \.TREND PROCESS SUPPORT PLAN OPTIONS 

% 1'0 " . '" 0 

" og -c d;" -bOo . o & C7 t. d' 

STATES Q' I: I: Q' Q' Alabama . Q' I:Q' Q' I:Q' I:Q' 

c9 6 o 

Alaska . ... 0 .. Arkansas Arizona .


California . 


Connecticut . .. Colorado . ... 0 

Delaware . ... 0 .. Florida District of Columbia .. 0

nenraia . ... 0 .


Idaho . Ilinois . .... 0

Indiana .
 Iowa Kansas .. 0

Maine Kentuckv . ... 0


Marvland . 
 Massachusetts .
 Michi!!an .
 Minnesota .
 Mississinni . Missouri ... 0 Montana . Nebraska . .. 0 


Nevada . 


New Hamnshire 

New Jerev .. 0

New Mexico
 New York .


North Carolina
 North Dakota Ohio ... 0 ... Oklahoma . . Oregon . ... 0 


Pennsvlvania . ... 0 

South Carnlina 


Rnone r land . 0 .. South Dakota . 0 Texas . Tennessee . ... 0 .

U' .
 Utah . n .


t Virginia Wisconsin .0 .. 0 . Wvomin!! . ... 0 
STATE PROFILES


ALABAMA 

Children in the custody of the State Deparment of Human Resources routinely are 

provided foster care by relatives. State policy requires staf to give fIrst consideration to 

relatives when foster care is needed for children. Ths requirement has been a par of State 

policy since 1980. There are no situations defined by regulation that automatically 

preclude consideration of relative placements for children. 

State data include only those children in approved relative foster homes. The incidence of 

such placements has shown a slight decline over the past five fiscal years; State 

admnistrators were unable to provide reasons for ths decline. 

Approval and Monitoring of Relative Foster Homes 

The State approves foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative homes can be approved. Approval requirements are the same as those for nonrelatives' homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health , safety, and space standards; 

and, relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as 

demonstrated though a psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal and protective 

service records checks. The relatives also must paricipate in basic foster-parent training; 

ongoing training is encouraged. 

Children also may be placed in the homes of relatives who are not approved. These 

homes are reviewed. These relatives are not required to submit health documents, 

complete a criminal records check, or attend training. The homes are assessed in terms 

stabilty, health and safety, and the abilty of the relative to meet the needs of the child. 

The decision to seek approved status usually is made by the relatives. Admistrators 

believed most relative foster homes were approved. 

Foster-care staf must visit all approved foster homes (both relatives and non-relatives) 

every 90 days. Staf must visit children in approved homes every six months, although in 

practice children are seen monthly or more frequently. The Deparent of Human 

Resources routinely does not provide specialized training to staff concernng supervision 

relative foster-care placements. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the related 

foster home is approved. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare agency is 
eligible for medical and denta benefits. Relatives are not excluded from any social 

services which the State makes available to non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans calling for them to remai with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the child is eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in permanent foster care with the State agency 

continuing to support and monitor placements. Finally, children may be placed in the 

permanent custody of relatives with the State agency relinquishing all rights and 

responsibilties for the child. 

ALASKA 

Children in the custody of the Deparent of Health and Social Services routinely are 

provided foster care by relatives. State policy demands staff undertake a search for 

relatives when a child enters care and consider relatives as the fIrst alternative for fostercare placement. This requirement became par of State policy prior to 1976. There are no 

situations defined by regulation that automatically preclude consideration of relative 

placements for children. 

Placements with relatives routinely are not identified in the State data system, but 

administrators state the number of such placements has risen slightly over the last five 

years largely as a result of increased worker awareness of the importce of kinship ties. 

Approval and Monitoring of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children. Relative foster homes can 

be licensed based upon the same criteria as non-relatives ' homes: the relatives ' homes 

must meet basic health, safety, and space standards; and, relatives must be capable of 

providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated though a psychosocial 

assessment and review of references. To be licensed, relatives also must parcipate in 

foster-parent orientation and ongoing training. Requirements are not rigid, however, and 

those which are not perceived to affect the safety of the child can be waived when there is 

an alternative method for meeting the intent of the requirements. 

Children also may be placed in unlicensed homes. These homes are reviewed. Staff 

review the stabilty, health and safety of the homes and conduct psychosocial assessments 

of the famlies. These assessments are generally comparable to those conducted for 

licensing homes. 
The decision to seek licensed status usually is made by the relatives, based upon their need 

for foster-care maintenance payments. Administrators could not provide information 

concernng the proporton of licensed relative foster homes to unlicensed relative foster 

homes. 

Monitoring of all foster homes is case-dependent. The Deparment of Health and Social 

Services has no specific policies or training concernng supervision of relative foster 

homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is licensed. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare agency is eligible for 

medical and dental benefits. Relatives are not excluded from any social services which the 

State makes available to non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Permanent care by a relative is a permanency goal in the State. Children with permanent 

plans calling for them to remain with relatives may be adopted by the relatives with State 

support continuing if the children are eligible for subsidized adoption. Courts may grant 

relatives guardianship of the children and, if the children are considered "hard to place 

the guardianship may by subsidized by the Deparent of Health and Social Services. 

Finally, children may remain in permanent foster care with relatives, with the State 

continuing to supervise and (if licensed) support these placements. 

ARIZONA 

The Administration for Children, Youth and Famlies places children in its care in relative 

foster homes. Prior to 1990, the agency had to seek special approval from the Juvenile 

Courts in order to place with relatives. Now the agency can assess the famly situations 

and determne if children should be placed in these homes. Additionally, the agency 

frequently aranges for temporar care of a child by a relative while the parents, who 

retain custody of the child, receive treatment. There are no situations defined by 

regulation that automatically preclude consideration of relative placements for children. 

Until July, 1991, the State data system separately identified children placed with 

unlicensed relatives, but placements in licensed relative homes were not distinguished from 

other licensed placements. Administrators state the number of relative placements has 

risen over the last five years largely as a result of less strngent court requirements for 

makng such placements. 
Approval and Monitoring of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes can be licensed if they meet the same stadards as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives' homes must meet basic health, safety, and space stadards; and 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated 

though the licensing process, references, and criminal and protective service record 

checks. To be licensed, the relatives also must parcipate in foster-parent orientation and 

ongoing training. Requirements cannot be waived. 

Children also may be placed in unlicensed relative homes. These homes are screened by 

foster-care staff who check the home to ensure its safety and conduct criminal and central 

registr record checks. Relatives must agree to protect the safety of the child and 

cooperate with plans for parental visitation. 

The decision to seek licensed status usually is made by the relatives. Administrators could 

not provide information concernng the proportion of licensed relative foster homes to 

unlicensed relative foster homes. 

Child protective and/or case management staff must visit children in all foster homes (with 

relatives and non-relatives) every 30 days. The agency routinely does not provide 

specialzed training concernng supervision of relative foster-care placements. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Licensed relatives receive the same level of financial benefits as any licensed foster parent. 

Unlcensed relatives are eligible upon request to receive daily clothing and personal 

allowances and other special allowances. Such special allowances may include assistance 

for education expenses, graduation expenses, summer school tuition and fees, camp fees, 

and diaper expenses. Children in the custody of the State and placed with relatives are 

eligible for medical and dental benefits. Relatives are not excluded from any social 

services which the State makes available to non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans callng for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. The court may grant guardianship to relatives, and the Administration for 

Children, Youth and Famlies would discontinue foster-care monitoring and reimbursement. 

Children may stay in long-term foster care with the State agency continuing to support and 

monitor the placement until the children reach 16 and a permanent plan of Independent 

Living is indicated. 
ARKANSAS 

The Deparment of Human Services wil place children in its care with relatives, but only 

if the staf have exhausted all other possibilties. The agency does have responsibility for 

a signficant number of "out-of-home protective service cases. " In these situations, the 

agency has supervision and service responsibility for a child in the care of a relative as a 

result of a court order, but custody remains with the parent or temporary with the 

relative. 

The incidence of relative foster-care placements has shown a slight increase over the past 

five fiscal years. State administrators stated ths increase was largely due to greater 

acceptace of the practice by the State offce of the agency. 

Approval and Monitoring of Relative Foster Homes 

The Deparment of Human Services certifies foster famly homes for receiving children in 

the custody of the State. Relative foster homes must be certified based upon the same 

criteria as non-relatives' homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health , safety, and 

space stadards; and, relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the 

child as demonstrated through a psychosocial assessment and review of references. The 

relatives also must paricipate in foster-parent orientation. Requirements such as length of 

marage and age, as well as the source of homes' water supply can be waived. 

Foster-care staff must visit all children and foster parents every 30 days. The Deparment 

of Human Services does not provide special training concerning supervision of relative 

foster homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

All relatives receive foster-care maintenance payments since the criteria for such payments 

is that the home be certfied. All children in foster care are eligible for Medicaid uness 

child is covered by private insurance or has independent resources. Relative foster homes 

are eligible for the same social services as non-relative foster homes. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans calling for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for adoption 

subsidies. The relative may petition for guardianship for the child, or may be granted 

permanent custody of the child. In both of the latter situations, Deparment of Human 

Service s assistance to the child and foster family ceases unless the court orders the agency 

to provide furter social services.

CALIFORNIA 

Children in the custody of the County Welfare Deparments routinely are provided foster 

care by relatives. State policy requires that staf consider relatives as the first alternative 

for foster-care placement. Ths requirement has been a par of State policy since 1982. 

There are no situations defined by regulation that automatically preclude consideration of 

relative placements for children. 

The incidence of relative foster home placements has increased greatly over the past five 

fiscal years; State administrators cited the increased number of drg-affected children 

entering the foster-care system and the growing demand for foster homes as the most 

signficant reasons for the increase. 

Approval and Monitoring of Relative Foster Homes 

In general, relative foster homes are exempt from licensing. Relatives' circumstaces and 

background are reviewed by county social services staff. There are no official work 

standards for completing these reviews. 

Foster-care staff must visit all children in foster homes every 30 days unless a child has no 

problems caused or aggravated by the placement, the placement is stable, or the child is 

placed with a relative. Staff must visit children in excepted placements, including children 

in relative foster homes, on a quarerly basis. The Deparment of Social Services routinely 

does not provide specialzed training concernng supervision of relative foster- care 

placements. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care may receive federally reimbursed foster-care 

maintenance payments for children eligible for payments under the Federal foster-care 

program. Relatives are not eligible to receive reimbursement under any State programs. 

Any child in the custody of the State child welfare agency is eligible for medical and 

dental benefits. Licensed relatives are not systematically excluded from any social services 

which the State makes available to non-related foster parents, but county offices may 

decide to limit some services. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans callng for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. The court may approve a permanent plan of long-term foster care for children 

with agency supervision and judicial monitoring continuing until these children reach 

emancipation. 
The relative may be appointed as guardian for the child and become solely responsible for 

the child, or the relative may be named guardian with the child remainig the dependent of 

the court. In either case, non-related individuals who assume guardianship for children 

may be eligible for continued financial subsidies for the children s needs; relatives are 

excluded from ths program. Ths exclusion may soon be challenged in Federal Distrct 

Court though a suit against the City of San Francisco. 

COLORADO 

Children in the custody of the Deparment of Social Services routinely are provided foster 

care by relatives. The State has had policies in place for several years specifically 

addressing relative placements and encouraging staff to consider such placements for all 

children. While some counties may have policies precluding placement of some children 

with relatives, State regulations contan no such limitations. 

State data systems could not accurately provide information on the number of children 

placed with relatives for the years surveyed. Current data are available. If the relative 

does not receive foster-care reimbursement, the child does not appear on the State s largely 

fmancial Foster Care Information System. Identification of the placement as a "relative 

foster care placement" depends upon entering two classification codes in the Child 

Tracking System (a separate system), so under countig of this population is likely. 

Administrators reported that the number of foster children placed with relatives appears to 

be growing, largely due to increased emphasis in the Deparment on the importce of 

maintainig kinship ties. 

Approval and Monitoring of Relative Foster Homes 

Counties certfy foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes can be certfied based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives' homes must meet basic health, safety, and space stadards; and, the 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated 

though a psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal and protective service record 

checks. To be certfied, the relatives also must parcipate in foster-parent orientation and 

ongoing training. The Deparment may waive some requirements as a result of an appeal 

by the relative. 

If relatives' homes are not certified , the foster-care arangement is referred to as a relative 

placement. Counties study the relatives' circumstances and background. There are no 

official standards, however, for completing these studies. Each county determnes its own 

standards for ensuring the safety of relatives' homes. 
The decision to seek licensed status usually is made by the relatives, and usually centers 

upon whether the relative has or intends to have other children placed in his/her home. 

Therefore, few relative foster homes are certfied. 

If the relative s home is a certified foster home, the child and foster parents are visited at 

least every thrty days. Uncertified placements with relatives are monitored by the child' 

social worker on a case-specific schedule. For purposes of supervision, uncertified relative 

placements are treated much the same as protective service cases in which children remain 

in their own home. Generally, the Deparment does not provide specialized traing to

staf concernng supervision of relative foster-care placements. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is certfied and children are otherwise eligible for Federal Title IV -E reimbursement. 

Any children in foster care under Title IV-E or children receiving SSI are eligible for 

medical and dental benefits. Other children in foster care must meet Medicaid eligibility 

requirements in order to obtain coverage through public programs. 

Relatives are not excluded from any social services which the State makes available to 

non-related foster parents. In some cases, relatives may receive funds or services though 

a State program "Placement Alternatives " available in some counties, to enable children to 

remain in less restrctive settings. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans callng for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. The court may approve a permanent plan of long-term foster care for children 

with agency supervision and judicial monitoring continuing until these children reach 

emancipation. 

The relative may be appointed guardian for the child and become solely responsible for the 

child, or the relative may be named guardian but legal custody remains with Deparment of 

Social Services. If the Department remains legally responsible for the child, foster-care 

payments may continue if these were available before the assumption of guardianship by 

the relative. The transfer of guardianship and legal custody to the relative is considered a 

permanent home, and court supervision may end. 
CONNECTICUT 

Children in the custody of the Deparment of Children and Youth Services routinely are 

provided foster care by relatives. Since 1988, the State has had policies in place 

specifically addressing relative placements and encouraging staff to consider such 

placements for all children. 

The proporton of children placed in relative foster care has shown a slight increase over 

the past five fiscal years. Admnistrators attrbute ths increase to greater awareness among 

staff of the importce of maitaing kinship ties and to the lack an adequate pool of 

foster homes. 

Approval and Monitoring of Relative Foster Homes 

The Deparent licenses foster parents for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes must be licensed based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health , safety, and space standards; and, 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated 

though a psychosocial assessment, a review of references, and record checks. The 

relatives also must paricipate in foster-parent training. Deparmental regulations allow for 

provisional approval of foster homes for up to 45 days while home studies are completed. 

Relative foster homes are more likely to receive such provisional licensure. 

Foster-care staff determne an appropriate schedule for visiting each foster home on a caseby-case basis. Because of their stability, relative foster homes generally are visited less 

frequently than those headed by non-relatives. The Deparent does not provide specific 

training on supervision of relative foster-care placements. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

All relatives are eligible to receive foster-care maintenance payments since the criteria for 

such payments is that the home be licensed. All children in foster care are eligible for 

Medicaid unless the child is covered by private insurance or has independent resources. 

Relative foster homes are eligible for the same social services as non-relative foster homes. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans callng for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for adoption 

subsidies. The Department or the relative may petition for guardianship for the child with 

the Deparent's assistance to the child and foster famly ceasing once guardianship is 

awarded to the relative. 
Children may remain in long-term foster care with relatives. In such cases, the 

Deparment of Children and Youth Services and the courts continue to supervise the fostercare placement. 

DELAWARE 

Children in the custody of the Division of Child Protective Services routiely are provided 

foster care by relatives. State policy demands staf consider relatives and close famly 

frends as the first alternative for foster-care placement. This requirement has been a par of State policy since the early 1980s. There are no situations defined by regulation that 

automatically preclude consideration of relative placements for children. 

State data concerng children in relative foster-care placements are only available since 

1989, and include most but not all children placed with relatives or family friends. A few 

kiship placements neither are monitored nor supported; therefore, the children involved 

are not included in the Deparment' s data base. Administrators stated that the number of 

placements with relatives has remained relatively stable over the last five years. 

Approval and Monitoring of Relative Foster Homes 

The State approves foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Most relative foster homes are approved based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health , safety, and space stadards; and 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated 

though a mutual assessment process which is par of pre-service preparation, a review of 

references, and a crimial background check. The Deparment does waive some 

requirements on a case-by-case basis. 

Children also may be placed in unapproved relative foster homes. These homes are 

reviewed and monitored by the staff providing services to the children and famlies. There 

are no stadards in policy for such reviews. 

The decision to become approved foster parents usually is made by the relatives. About 

25% of all relative foster homes are approved. 

Foster-care staff must visit all children and foster parents every 30 days. The Division of 

Child Protective Services does not provide special training concernng supervision specific 

to relative foster homes. 
Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is approved. Most are referred to the Division of Social Services to apply for

AFC. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare agency is eligible for medical 

and dental benefits. Relatives are not excluded from any social services which the State 

makes available to non-related foster parents, and may even receive special funding for 

extraordinar service needs. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans calling for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in long-term foster care with the State agency 

continuing to support and monitor placements, or children may be placed in the permanent 

custody of relatives with the State agency relinquishing all rights and responsibilties for 

the child. 

DISTRICT OF 
 COLUMBIA 

Children in the custody of the Deparment of Social Services routinely are provided foster 

care by relatives. Policy allows staff to consider interested relatives for " special foster 

care" placement. This allowance has been a par of State policy since before 1980. There 

are no situations defined by regulation that automatically preclude consideration of relative 

placements for children. 

Administrators were unable to provide data on the number of children placed with 

relatives, but did indicate that use of relatives as foster parents has been relatively stable 

over the last five years. 

Approval and Monitoring of Relative Foster Homes 

Relatives who provide foster care to children in the custody of the Deparment are not 

licensed. These homes are considered "specialized foster homes. " These foster homes are 

subject to informal review by children s workers and, if safe, the relatives may care only 

for the specified related children. The stadards for these reviews are not specified in 

policy. 

Foster-care staff must visit all children and foster parents or special foster homes every 30 

days. The Deparment of Human Services does not provide special training concerning 

supervision of relative foster homes. 
Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if they request 

such assistace. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare agency is eligible for 

medical and dental benefits. Relatives are not excluded from any social services which the 

State makes available to non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans callng for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in permanent foster care with the Deparent 

continuing to support and monitor placements. The relatives may secure guardianship of 

the child with the agency relinquishing all rights and responsibilities for the chid, or the 

cours may order "thrd-pary" custody to the relative with the Deparment continuing to 

provide supervision and services to the relatives or child. 

FLORIDA 

The Department of Health and Rehabiltative Services discourages relative foster-care 

placements. The Department prefers that interested relatives assume custody directly for 

children. The Departent does provide social services, but not financial, support to 

relatives with custody of children who might otherwise be in the care of the State. This 

approach to using relatives has been part of State policy since the early 1980s. There are 

no situations defined by regulation, however, that automatically preclude consideration of 

relative placements for children. 

Foster-care placements with relatives are indistinguishable from other foster-care 

placements in the Department s data system, and children in the custody of relatives are 

not in foster care. Administrators did indicate that relative placements have increased 

slightly over the last five years. This increase appeared to be associated with greater 

relative demands for financial assistance which can only be obtained if the child is in 

foster care.


Approval and Monitorin$! of Relative Foster Homes 

The State approves foster family homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes must be approved based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

3 Itacs indicate 
State staf did not respond to our written request to verify interview infonnation 

reported here. 
homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health, safety, and space standards; and, the 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated 

through a psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal and protective service records 

checks. To be approved, the relatives also must participate in foster-parent orientation 

and ongoing training. 

Foster-care staff must visit all children in foster care and foster parents every 30 days. 

a relative assumes temporary custody of a child, the Departent supervises the home for 

six months on an as-needed basis. The Department of Health and Rehailtative Services 

does not provide special training concerning supervision of relative foster homes or 

relative custody arrangements. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is licensed. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare agency is eligible for 

medical and dental benefits. Relative foster parents are not excluded from any social 

services which the State makes available to non-related foster parents. 

Permanency OPtions 

Children with permnent plans callng for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in permnent foster care with the State agency 

continuing to support and monitor placements. The Departent prefers relatives to 

assume temporary custody or guardianship of children in their care with the State agency 

relinquishing all rights and responsibilties for the child after six months. 

GEORGIA 

Chidren in the custody of the Deparent of Human Resources routiely are provided 

foster care by relatives. State policy demands staf consider relatives as the fIrst 

alternative for foster-care placement. Ths requirement has been a par of State policy 

prior to 1980. There are no situations defined by regulation that automatically preclude 

consideration of relative placements for children. 

The number of children placed with relatives remained relatively stable thoughout the 

1980s but increased significantly in 1990. Administrators were not certain why such an 

increase took place. 
Approval and Monitoring of Relative Foster Homes 

The State approves foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Some relative foster homes are approved based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives' homes must meet basic health, safety, and space stadards; and, the 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated 

though a psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal and protective service records 

checks. To be approved, the relatives also must paricipate in foster-parent orientation and 

ongoing training. Deparment staf may waive some stadards. 

Children also may be placed in unapproved relative foster homes, or free homes. The 

relatives' homes are evaluated by foster-care staff and , generally, must meet the same 

stadards as approved homes. Training requirements are waived. 

The decision to seek licensed status usually is made by the relatives. Most relatives do not 

seek approval. 

Foster-care staff must visit all children and foster parents every 30 days. The Deparment 

does not provide special training concernng supervision of relative foster homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is approved. Any child in the custody of the Deparment of Human Resources is 

eligible for medical and dental benefits. Relatives are not excluded from any social 

services which the State makes available to non-related foster parents, although there may 

be some differences in individual counties ' delivery of services. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans calling for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in permanent foster care with the State agency 

continuing to support and monitor placements on a less intense basis. Assumption of 

guardianship by the relative is possible, but is a little used option. More frequently, the 

cours transfer temporar custody to the relative from the Department. 
HAWATI 

Children in the custody of the Deparment of Human Services routinely are considered for 

placement with relatives. State policy demands staff to place children in the least 

restrctive, most family-like environment possible. There are no situations defined by 

regulation that automatically preclude consideration of relative placements for children. . 

The Deparment s data system could not separately retreve all relative foster homes for the 

period in question, but admnistrators indicated there had been a slight increase in the 

incidence of such placements over the last five years. 

Approval and Monitorig of Relative Foster Homes 

The State certfies foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes must be certified based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes, unless the home is limited to one specific child. The relatives' homes must meet 

basic health, safety, and space standards; and, the relatives must be capable of providing 

care and protection for the child as demonstrated though a psychosocial assessment 

references, and criminal and protective service records checks. Relatives are encouraged 

parcipate in foster-parent orientation. If the home is a "specified home " the Deparent may waive certification stadards on a case-by-case basis. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is certfied, and the child is eligible for Title IV -E foster-care payments. Any child 

in the custody of the State child welfare agency is eligible for medical and denta benefits. 

Relatives are not excluded from any social services which the State makes available to 

non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Permanent care by a relative is a permanency goal in the State. Children with permanent 

plans calling for them to remain with relatives may be adopted by the relatives with State 

support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized adoption. Courts may 

grant relatives guardianship of the children, and the guardianship may be subsidized by the 

Deparment Human Services. Finally, the child may remain in permanent foster care with 

the relative, with the State continuing to supervise and support the placement. 
IDAHO" 

Children in the custody of the Department of Health and Welfare routinely are provided 

foster care by relatives. State policy demands staff consider relatives as the first 

alterntive for foster-care placement. This requirement has been a part of State policy 

since 1985. There are no situations defined by regulation that automatically preclude

consideration of relative placements for children. 

The Departent cannot specifcally identif all relative foster homes. Administrators 

indicated there had been a slight increase in the incidence of such placements over the last 

five years, largely due to increasing focus within the Departent on the importance of 

preserving family ties for children in foster care. 

Approval and Monitorin1! of Relative Foster Homes 

The Departent of Health and Welfare licenses foster family homes for receiving children 

in the custody of the State. Relative foster homes must be licensed based upon the same 

licensing guidelines as non-relatives ' homes: the relatives ' home must meet basic health 

safety, and space standards; and, relatives must be capable of providing care and 

protection for the child- as demonstrated through a psychosocial assessment and a review 

of references. Training is not required unless the child is a special needs child. 

Departental guidelines provide some flexibility, and waivers are allowed if positive 

features of the home mitigate deficiencies. 

Foster-care staff must visit all children and foster parents, regardless of the relationship, 

at least every 30 days, or as a case requires. The Departent of Health and Welfare does 

not provide special training concerning supervision of relative foster homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Licensed relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments. Any 

child in the custody of the State child welfare agency is eligible for medical and dental 

benefits. Relatives are not excluded from any social services which the State makes 

available to non-related foster parents, but all support services are based on a needs 

assessment. 

Permnencv Options 

Permnent care by a relative is a permnency goal in the State. Children with permnent 

plans callng for them to remain with relatives may be adopted by the relatives with State 

support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized adoption. Courts may 

4 Itacs indicate State sta did not respond to our written request to verify interview infonnation 

report here. 
grant relatives guardianship of the children. Finally, the child may remain in permnent 

foster care with the relative, with the Department continuing to supervise and support the 

placement. 

ILLINOIS 

Children in the custody of the Deparent of Children and Famly Services routiely are 

provided foster care by relatives. Deparment policy since 1976 and the findings in several 

cour decisions in the late 1980s require staf to conduct a thorough search for relatives 

when children enter foster care, and to place children with relatives when reasonable to do 

so. 

The number of children placed with relatives has increased greatly over the last five years. 

Administrators cited several factors influencing this increase: legislative and judicial 

mandates that have reiterated the preference for such placements, a shortge of foster 

homes has caused staff to do a more thorough job in locating relatives, and children placed 

with relatives in the State generally remain in foster care longer than children placed with 

non-relatives, and the numbers show the cumulative effect of this phenomenon. 

Approval and Monitoring of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster-homes are approved based upon the same criteria used for licensing nonrelatives' homes, although some standards may be waived in the approval process. The 

relatives' homes must meet basic health , safety, and space standards; and, relatives must be 

capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated though a 

psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal and protective service records checks. 

Relatives are encouraged to parcipate in foster-parent orientation, but are not required to 

attend. 

All children in foster care must be visited every 30 days. The Deparent does not 

provide training that specifically addresses supervision of relative foster-care homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is certfied or approved. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare agency 

is eligible for Medicaid coverage. Relatives are not excluded from any social services 

which the State makes available to non-related foster parents. 
Permanency Options 

Permanent care by a relative is a permanency goal in the State. Children with permanent 

plans calling for them to remain with relatives may be adopted by relatives with State 

support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized adoption. Courts may 

grant relatives guardianship of the children; the guardianship may be financially supported 

by the Deparment of Children and Famly Services. Finally, the child may remai in 

permanent foster care with the relative, with the State and the courts contiuing to 

supervise and support the placement. 

INIANA 

When children in the custody of the Family and Social Service Administration require outof-home placement, staff routinely make efforts to place them with relatives. State policy 

requires staf to consider relatives as the first alternative for foster-care placement. This 

requirement has been a par of State policy since 1986, and was evident in some counties 

policies and practices prior to that time. There are no situations defined by regulation that 

automaticaly preclude consideration of relative placements for children. 

The incidence of relative foster home placements has increased greatly over the last five 

fiscal years. Administrators cited two factors as the most significant contrbutors to this 

increase: 1) prior to 1984, foster-care policy was made in the counties, and many 

counties' policies actively discouraged measures which included children living with 

relatives as par of the foster-care system; and, 2) State training in 1986 actively 

encouraged staff to seek relatives to care for children in the custody of the State. 

Approval and Monitoring of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

A few relative foster homes are licensed based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health , safety, and space stadards; and, the 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated 

though a psychosocial assessment, references, and a signed criminal history statement. To 

be licensed, relatives also must paricipate in foster-parent orientation and ongoing training. 

Most relative foster homes are not licensed. These homes are approved at the County 

level rather than licensed by the State. The standards are similar to those for licensing, but 

regulations do not specify specific minimums, and training is not required. 

The decision to seek licensed status usually is made by the relatives. Administrators 

indicated relatives usually are licensed only if they wish to provide foster care to nonrelated children as well as their own family members. 
Foster-care staff must visit all foster homes (with relatives and non-relatives) every 60 

days. The Deparent does not provide ongoing training specifically focused on 

supervising relative foster-care placements. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is licensed or approved and if the famly seeks such support. Children in the 

custody of the State child welfare agency and who were eligible for AFDC prior to 

enterig foster care are eligible for medical and denta benefits. Relatives are not excluded 

from any social services which the State "makes available to non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Ideally, children with permanent plans callng for them to remain with relatives are 

adopted by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for 

county or Title IV-E adoption subsidies. The courts may grant guardianship to the 

relatives, or may order joint guardianship to the relatives and the county. Only in the 

latter situation can the Deparment continue assistance to the relatives and children. 

Children may be considered in permanent foster care with the State agency continuing to 

support and monitor placements.


IOWA 

Children in the custody of the Deparment of Human Services routinely are provided foster 

care by relatives. State policy demands staff consider relatives as the fIrst alternative for 

foster-care placement. This requirement has been a par of State policy since 1986. There 

are no situations defined by regulation that automatically preclude consideration of relative 

placements for children. 

The Deparment cannot specifically identify relative foster homes, but administrators 

indicated the number of such placements has remained relatively stable over the last five 

years. 

Approval and Monitoring of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes can be licensed based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health , safety, and space stadards; and, the 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated 

though a psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal and protective service records 

checks. In order to be licensed, relatives must paricipate in foster-parent training. 
Deparment policy does allow provisional licensing for up to ninety days until the relative 

completes the licensing application process. 

Children also may be placed with relatives who are not licensed foster parents. Whle the 

agency has no formal review process required by law or rule prior to placing children in 

such situations, the staff usually conduct a home study. 

The decision to seek licensed status is made by the relatives, usually based upon famlies 

financial needs. Administrators could not provide information concerning the proportion of 

licensed relative foster homes to unlicensed relative homes where children are placed. 

Foster-care staf must visit all children and foster parents based upon the needs of 

individual children, but at least every 30 days. The Deparent of Human Services does 

not provide special trainig concernng supervision of relative foster homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is licensed and the relative requests assistance. Any child in the custody of the State 

child welfare agency is eligible for medical and denta benefits. Relatives are not excluded 

from any social services which the State makes available to non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans calling for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Alternatively, relatives may seek guardianship for children and end State 

supervision and assistance. Only if no other permanent option is available, children may 

be classified as being in long-term foster care with the State agency continuing to support 

and monitor placements.

KANSAS 

Children in the custody of the Deparent of Social Services routinely are provided foster 

care by relatives. State practice is to look to relatives as a placement resource. There are 

no situations defined by regulation that automatically preclude consideration of relative 

placements for children, but court orders may direct the agency to place, or not place 

children with relatives. State statute requires legal notice to grandparents or other 

significant relatives whenever transfer of custody occurs. 

The number of relative placements has risen slightly over the last five years, but 

administrators were uncertn of the cause for the increase. 

Approval and Monitoring of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes are approved as meeting the standards promulgated by the 

Deparment of Health and Environment. The relatives' homes must meet basic health, 

safety, and space standards; and, relatives must be capable of providing care and protection 

for the child as demonstrated though a psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal 

and protective service records checks. To be approved, the relatives also must paricipate 

in foster-parent orientation. Certn non-essential qualifications such as age, income, and 

space or beds available, may be waived in the approval process. 

Foster-care staf must visit all children and foster parents every 90 to 180 days. The 

Deparment of Social Services does not provide special training concernng supervision of 

relative foster homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Although a distinction is made in State policy between those receiving foster-care 

maintenance though Federal funds and those receiving reimbursement though State funds, 

all relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is approved as meeting licensing stadards. Any child in the custody of the State 

child welfare agency is eligible for a Kansas Medicaid Plan medical card which covers 

medical costs. Relatives are eligible for social services which the State makes available to 

non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans callng for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives with State support if the children are "special needs" children as defined by 

policy. Children may be considered in long-term foster care with relatives if that is the 

long-term plan for children and if the famlies enter into a long-term contract with the 

Deparment. Rarely do relatives seek guardianship for children. 
KENTUCKY 

Children in the custody of the Deparment of Social Services routinely are provided foster 

care by relatives. State policy demands staff consider relatives in makng foster-care 

placements. This requirement was included in State policy before 1980. 

Relatives are not considered as possible foster-care providers for children who are placed 

in the custody of the Deparent in order to find an adoptive home, or when there is 

evidence of intergenerational abuse. 

The Deparent could not provide a count of relative foster homes, but admnistrators 

indicated there had been a slight increase in the number of such placements over the last 

five years.


Approval and Monitoring of Relative Foster Homes 

The State approves foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

The Deparent may approve relative foster homes based upon the same criteria as nonrelatives' homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health , safety, and space stadards; 

and, relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as 

demonstrated though a psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal and protective 

service records checks. To be approved, relatives also must parcipate in foster-parent 

trainig programs. The Deparent can waive age and length of marage criteria, and 

requirements for pre-service trainig. 

The Deparment also may place children in relative foster homes that are not approved. 

Children s social workers must review these homes and develop a description of the home 

for the case record. There are no formal stadards for such reviews. 

The relatives or the Deparment may decide if the relatives should seek approval as foster 

parents. Administrators could not provide information concernng the proportion of 

licensed relative foster homes to unlicensed relative foster homes. 

Foster-care staff must visit all foster homes every 30 days. The Deparment does not offer 

special training on supervising relative foster-care placement. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is approved. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare agency is eligible 

for medical and dental benefits. Relatives are not excluded from any social services which 

the State makes available to non-related foster parents. 
Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans calling for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in permanent foster care with the State agency 

continuing to support and monitor placements, or children may be placed in the permanent 

custody of relatives with the State agency relinquishing all rights and responsibilities for 

the children. 

LOUISIANA 5 

Children in the custody of the Department of Social Services routinely are provided foster 

care by relatives. State policy demands staff consider relatives as the first alterntive for 

foster-care placement. There are no situations defined by regulation that automatically 

preclude consideration of relative placements for children. 


The Department s data system does not isolate placements with relatives, but 

administrators indicated that the number of such placements has decreased slightly over 

the last five years. Relative foster-care placements increased some years ago after 

intensive Statewide training concerning kinship and foster care, but once such training 

ended, the number of new relative placements dropped signifcantly. 

Approval and Monitorinl! of Relative Foster Homes 

The Department approves foster family homes for receiving children in the custody of the 

State. Relative foster homes are approved based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health, safety, and space standards; and, 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated 

through a psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal and protective service records 

checks. To be approved, the relatives also must participate in foster-parent orientation 

and ongoing training. 

Children also may be placed in unapproved "relative placements. " These homes are 

studied by the children s social workers to ensure they meet the basic health and safety 

needs of the children. 

Relatives usually seek approval if they wish to care for other non-related children. 

Therefore, few are approved. 

5 Itacs indicate State staf did not respond to our written request to verify interview infonnation 

reported here. 
Foster-care staff must visit all foster home every 30 days. The Department does not 

provide training concerning supervision of relative foster homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is approved. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare agency is eligible 

for medical and dental benefits. Relatives are not excluded from any social services which 

the State makes available to non-related foster parents. 

PermnencY Options 

Children with permnent plans callng for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. This option is rarely used by relatives, however. Children may be considered in 

long-term foster care, with the State agency continuing to support and monitor placements, 

or children may be placed in the permnent custody of relatives with the State agency 

relinquishing all rights and responsibilities for the child. This latter option frequently is 

the goal for children who come into care while already in the home of the relative. 

MAINE 

The Deparment of Human Services occasionally places children in its custody with 

relatives, but with caution. State policy does not give automatic preference to relatives. 

Children are placed with relatives only when assessment of the relatives and their 

relationships with the children s parents indicate they are capable of protectig and 

meeting the needs of the children and they wil paricipate cooperatively in plans reunify 

children with their parents or to have a permanent famly. There are no situations defined 

by regulation, however, that automatically preclude consideration of relative foster-care 

placements for children. 

The number of relative foster-care placements has remained relatively stable over the last 

five years.


Approval and Monitoring of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Most relative foster homes are approved based upon the same criteria used for licensing 

non-relatives' homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health , safety, and space 

standards; and, relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as 

demonstrated though a psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal and protective 

service records checks. To be approved, the relatives also must parcipate in foster­
parent, pre-service training. The training requirement may be waived, as may other 

standards, if the home contains compensatory features or strengths. 

Children also may be placed with relatives who do not meet licensing standards. Fostercare staf complete basic studies of the relatives ' homes. Most relative foster homes are 

approved as meeting licensing stadards. The Deparent only places children in the 

homes of relatives who canot meet licensing standards, if the home is evaluated as the 

best placement for the child. 

Foster-care staff must visit all children in the Deparent' s care or custody at least every 

180 days. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

All relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments on the 

same basis as non-related foster parents. Any child in the custody of the State child 

welfare agency is eligible for medical and dental benefits. Relatives are not excluded from 

any social services which the State makes available to non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans for adoption may be adopted by relatives who meet 

minimal stadards for approval for adoption. State support continues only if the child is 

eligible for subsidized adoption. Children may be considered in long-term foster care with 

the State agency continuing to support and monitor placements, or children may be placed 

in the custody of relatives with the State agency relinquishing all rights and responsibilties 

for the child.


MARYLAND 

Children in the custody of the Deparent of Human Resources routinely are provided care 

by relatives. State policy demands staf consider relatives as the fIrst alternative for 

placement. A program specifically designed to provide services to children placed with 

relatives was established in 1983. There are no situations defined by regulation that 

automatically preclude consideration of relative placements for children. 

The data concerning children placed with relatives are divided between two different 

programs: the Extended Famly Services Program and the Foster Care Program. Both 

programs show increases in the number of children placed with relatives over the last five 

years. The Extended Famly Services program has shown quite large increases during this 

period. Administrators attrbute this increase to increased attention in the Deparment to 

kiship placements, and to rapidly rising need to place children. 
Approval and Monitoring of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes can be licensed based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives' homes must meet basic health, safety, and space stadards; and 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated 

though a psychosocial assessment, references, and crinal and protective service records 

checks. To be approved, the relatives also must parcipate in foster-parent orientation and 

ongoing training. 

Children also may be placed in Extended Famly Placements which are not licensed as 

foster homes. Social services staff complete a health and santation inventory on these 

homes, check criminal background and protective services records, and assess family 

functioning and the relatives' abilty to provide a safe nurring environment for the child. 

The decision to seek licensed status is made by the relatives. Approximately ten percent 

of all relative foster homes are licensed. 

Foster-care staf must visit children in licensed foster homes every 30 days and children in 

Extended Famly Placement every 60 days. The Deparment does provide training on the 

requirements surrounding Extended Famly Placements. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives receive foster-care maitenance payments if the foster home is licensed as a 

foster home. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare agency is eligible for 

medical and dental benefits. Relatives providing licensed foster care are eligible for all 

services available to other licensed foster parents. Famlies served by the Extended Famly 

Services Program receive the same services required by law and regulation for foster care. 

The exception is day care for which extended famly placement parcipants are a priority, 

but they must meet a needs test. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans calling for them to remain with relatives include custody 

and guardianship to the relative, adoption and long-term foster care. When relatives 

assume guardianship, the State s legal responsibility for the child is rescinded, but services 

may be provided on a voluntar basis. If the relative adopts the child, the Deparent 

may provide an adoption subsidy if the child was in licensed foster care and met eligibility 

requirements. Children in long-term foster care continue to receive the services and 

protections of regular foster care. 
MASSACHUSETTS 

Children in the custody of the Departent of Social Services routinely are provided foster 

care by relatives. State policy has mae special note of such foster homes since the early 

1980s. There are no situations defined by regulation that automatically preclude 

consideration of relative placements for children. 

The number of such placements has risen somewhat in the last five years. Administrators 

indicated that increased Departental emphasis on the importance of maintaining family 

ties has resulted in the increased use of relatives. 

AIJIJroval and Monitorin of Relative Foster Homes 

The State approves foster family homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes are approved based upon the same criteria as non-relatives ' homes: 

the relatives ' homes must meet basic health , safety, and space standards; and, relatives 

must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated through a 

psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal and protective service records checks. 

To secure general approval, the relatives must participate in foster-parent orientation and 

ongoing training. When relative foster homes are approved only for specifc children, the 

Departent waives training as well some requirements that are not essential to the health 

and safety of the children placed. 

Foster-care staff must visit all foster homes every 30 days. Home finding staff also 

annually re-evaluate all but specifc foster homes. The Department does not provide 

special training concerning supervision of relative foster homes. 

Financial and Other SUIJIJort Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care can receive foster-care maintenance payments or a 

combination of AFDC grants brought to the same level as foster-care maintenance through 

State funding. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare agency is eligible for 

medical and dental benefits. Relatives are not excluded from any social services which the 

State makes available to non-related foster parents, but a respite exchange available 

through the State organization for foster parents is not available to specifc placements. 

Permnency OIJtions 

Children with permnent plans callng for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

6 Itaics indicate State staf did not respond to our written request to verify intervew infonnation 

report here. 
adoption. The relatives may secure legal guardianship for the child and, based upon the 

court order, the Departent of Social Services may continue some support for the family. 

MICIDGAN 

Chidren in the custody of the Deparent of Social Services routinely are provided foster 

care by relatives. State policy demands staf consider relatives as the fIrst alternative for 

foster-care placement. Ths requiement has been a par of State policy since the early 

1980s and was reaffirmed in 1986. There are no situations defined by regulation that 

automatically preclude consideration of relative placements for children. 

The number of relative foster-care placements has remained relatively stable over the last 

five years.


Approval and Monitoring of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes can be licensed based upon similar criteria to those used to license 

non-relatives' homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health and safety standards; 

and, relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as 

demonstrated though a psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal and protective 

service records checks. To be licensed, the relatives also must parcipate in foster-parent 

orientation and ongoing training. 

Chidren also may be placed in unlcensed relative foster homes. These homes are 

assessed by children s social workers to ensure that the relatives can provide adequate care 

and protection for the child. 

The decision to seek licensed status is made by the relative. If the relative or home does 

not meet licensing stadards, staff wil arange for assessment. Administrators estimate 

that between 1/3 to 1/2 of relative foster homes are licensed. 

Foster-care staff must visit all children and foster parents every 30 days. The supervisory 

requirement is identical for both the licensed relative and non-licensed relative settig. 

The Deparment of Social Services does not provide special training concernng 

supervision of relative foster homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is licensed. Children in licensed relative foster-care homes are eligible for medical 

and dental benefits. If the court maintans jurisdiction and the relatives are not licensed 
the child is eligible for AFC benefits and related medical insurance. The relative must 

apply for these benefits on behalf of the child, however. Eligibilty for supportve services 

for both the child and the provider may var between the two types of relative placement 

settings. Licensing is required in order for the relatives to use day care and respite care 

resources. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans callng for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in permanent foster care with the State agency 

continuing to support and monitor placements as long as the courts maintan jurisdiction. 

Children may be placed in the permanent custody of relatives with the State agency 

reliquishing all rights and responsibilties for the child (i.e., guardianship status). 

MINNESOTA 

Children in the custody of the Deparment of Human Services routinely are provided foster 

care by relatives. State policy demands staff consider relatives as the fIrst alternative for 

foster-care placement. Ths requirement has been a par of State policy since 1983, and 

has gained increased attention though Heritage Preservation legislation in the State. There 

are no situations defmed by regulation that automatically preclude consideration of relative 

placements for children. 

The incidence of relative foster home placements has increased greatly over the last five 

fiscal years. Administrators explained the Deparment has reached a point at which 

relatives are the common fIrst consideration for placing children. 

Approval and Monitoring of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes can be licensed based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives' homes must meet basic health, safety, and space stadards; and, the 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated 

though a psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal and protective service records checks. 

Children also may be placed in unlicensed relative foster homes. These homes are 

approved for specific children. Standards var by county, and range from requirements 

and processes similar to licensing to the standards used for determning safety in protective 

service situations. 
Administrators could not provide information concerning the proporton of licensed relative 

foster homes to specific foster homes, nor are the criteria clear for determning if homes 

should be licensed. 

Foster-care staff must visit all children and foster parents every 15 days for the first thee 

months after children enter the homes. Thereafter, visits are required every 30 days. The

Deparent of Human Services does not provide special training concernng supervision of 

relative foster homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Whether or not a relative receives foster-care reimbursement largely depends upon whether 

the relative needs or wants such assistace and upon county policies. Any child in the custody of the Deparent for thrt days is eligible for medcal and dental benefits. 

counties individually control eligibilty for social services and some may limit relatives 

access to some services. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans callng for them to remai with relatives may be adopted by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in permanent foster care with the State agency 

continuing to support and monitor placements, but without court supervision. Children 

may be placed in the permanent custody of relatives with the State agency relinquishing all rights and responsibilities for the child. 

MISSISSIPPI 

Children in the custody of the Deparment of Human Services routinely are provided foster 

care by relatives. State policy demands staf consider relatives as the first alternative for 

foster-care placement. Ths requirement has been a par of State policy since 1982. There 

are no situations defined by regulation that automatically preclude consideration of relative 

placements for children. 

Although no statistics are available, administrators believe the number of relative fostercare placements has risen slightly over the last five years largely because a shortage of 

foster homes has forced workers to search harder for relatives to care for children. 

Approval and Monitorin of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. Relative foster homes can be licensed based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 
homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health , safety, and space stadards; and 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated 

though a psychosocial assessment, references, and crinal and protective service records 

checks. Home finding staf may request an exception to criteria not related to the health 

and safety of the child. 

Children also may be placed in unlicensed relative foster homes. These homes are 

reviewed more informally; relatives do not necessarly have to submit to background or 

reference checks, nor must they attend training. 

Staf are required to inform relatives of the option of having their homes licensed, but the 

decision to seek licensed status usually is made by the relatives. Administrators could not 

provide inormation concernng the proporton of licensed relative foster homes to 

unlicensed relative foster homes. 

Staf must visit all children in the Deparment's custody at least every 30 days. The 

Deparment does not provide special training concernng supervision of relative foster-care 

homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is licensed. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare agency is eligible for 

medical and dental benefits. Non-licensed relatives are excluded from many social 

services which the State makes available to licensed foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans callng for them to remain with relatives and who are freed 

for adoption may be adopted by the relative. State support continues only if the child is 

eligible for subsidized adoption. Children may enter formalized foster care with the State 

agency continuing to support and monitor placements on a reduced basis. 
MISSOURI 

Children in the custody of the Deparent of Social Services routinely are provided foster 

care by relatives. State policy demands staff consider relatives as the first alternative for 

foster-care placement. Ths requirement has been a par of State policy since 1980. There 

are no situations defined by regulation that automatically preclude consideration of relative 

placements for children. 

The number of relative foster-care placements has remaied relatively stable over the last 

five years.


Approval and Monitorin~ of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes can be certified based upon a similar process to that employed for 

non-relatives' homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health , safety, and space standards; and, relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as 

demonstrated though a social assessment, references, and criminal and protective service 

records checks. Pre-service traing is waived, and smoke detectors and fire extinguishers 

are not required.


The decision to seek licensed status usually is made by the relatives. Relatives rarely seek 

licensed status. 

Foster-care staff must visit all children and foster parents every 30 days. The Deparent of Social Services does not provide special training concernng supervision of relative 

foster homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the children 

were eligible for AFDC prior to entering foster care. Approximately 60% of the children 

in the care of relatives are covered by foster-care maintenance payments. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare agency is eligible for medical and denta benefits. 

Relatives are not excluded from any social services which the State makes available to 

non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans calling for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in permanent foster care with the State agency 

continuing to support and monitor placements. Relatives may seek guardianship for children though the courts. Once custody transfers to the relative foster-care services and 

benefits are withdrawn unless there is an identified need for after-care services. 
MONTANA 

The Departmnt of Family Services occasionally places children in its care in relative 

foster homes. Such placements have been allowed in policy since 1986. Earlier, the State

had a policy against such placements. There are no situations defined by regulation that 

automatically preclude consideration of relative placements for children, but routine 

procedures stress the need for caution in sexual abuse situations and situations in which 

the child has been removed from very violent situations. 

State data do not separately identif children in relative foster homes. Administrators 

indicated there had been a slight increase in the number of relative placements largely as 

a result of improvements in the Department s Indian Child Welfare Act implementation. 

AIJIJroval and MonitorinJ! of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses all foster family homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes are licensed based upon the same criteria as non-relatives ' homes: 

the relatives ' homes must meet basic health, safety, and space standards; and, relatives 

must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated through a 

psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal and protective service records checks. 

To be approved, the relatives also must participate in foster-parent orientation and 

ongoing training. 

Foster-care staff must visit all children and foster parents every 30 days. The Department 

of Family Services does not provide special training concerning supervision of relative 

foster homes.


Financial and Other SUIJIJort Services for Relative Foster Parents 

All relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments. Any child 

in the custody of the State child welfare agency is eligible for medical and dental benefits. 

Relatives are not excluded from any social services which the State makes available to 

non-related foster parents.


Permanency OIJtions 

Children with permnent plans callng for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in permnent foster care with the State agency 

continuing to support and monitor placements. 

7 Itacs indicate State staf did not 
respond to our written request to verify interview infonnation 

reported here. 
NEBRASKA 

Children in the custody of the Deparent of Social Services routinely are provided foster 

care by relatives. State policy requires staff to consider relatives as the first alternative for 

foster-care placement. Ths requirement has been a par of State policy since the early 

1980s. There are no situations defined by regulation that automatically preclude 

consideration of relative placements for children. 

The Deparent experienced an increase in relative foster-care placements in the late 

1980s, but since 1990 the number of such placements has remained relatively stable. 

Administrators point to the increased emphasis on the value of maintaning famly ties, and 

to the shortge of other foster homes as factors in the increased use of relative foster 

homes. 

Approval and Monitorin~ of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

If relatives can meet licensing requirements, they can be licensed. Relatives who canot 

meet licensing requirements must be approved in order to receive specific children. The 

approval process includes a home study and a background check to ensure the general 

safety of the children placed in the home. Training requirements are waived for relatives 

although they are encouraged to paricipate. 

Foster-care staf must visit all children and foster parents every 30 days. The Deparment 

of Social Services does not provide special training concerning supervision of relative 

foster homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the relative 

accepts such payments. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare agency is 

eligible for medical and dental benefits. Relatives are not excluded from any social 

services which the State makes available to non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans calling for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in permanent foster care with the State agency 

continuing to support and monitor placements. Relatives may seek guardianship for 

children though the courts. Once custody transfers to the relative, foster-care services and 

benefits are withdrawn unless the famly qualifies for State-provided subsidized 

guardianship or AFDC relative payee. 
NEVADA 

Children in the custody of the Deparment of Human Resources routinely are provided 

foster care by relatives. State policy demands staff consider relatives as the first 

alternative for foster-care placement. Ths requirement was included in State policy prior 

to 1980. There are no situations defined by regulation that automatically preclude 

consideration of relative placements for children. 

The number of relative foster-care placements has increased somewhat over the last five 

years, largely because of increased worker acceptance of relatives as a viable resource in 

helping famlies.


Approval and Monitorin~ of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Most relative foster homes are licensed based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health , safety, and space standards; and 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated 

through a psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal and protective service records 

checks. To be licensed, the relatives also must paricipate in foster-parent orientation and 

ongoing traing. If relatives refuse to parcipate in training, children may still be placed 

with them, but the home is not licensed. Some homes may be licensed without home 

studies because of specific orders of the court at the custody hearng. 

Staf must visit non-relative foster homes every 60 days, but is not required to meet ths 

schedule for relative foster-care homes. Deparment of Human Services does not provide 

special training concerning supervision of relative foster homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care are eligible for foster-care maintenance payments if the 

foster home is licensed or meets licensing criteria. Any child in the custody of the State 

child welfare agency is eligible for medical and dental benefits. Relatives are not excluded 

from any social services which the State makes available to non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans calling for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in permanent foster care with the State agency 

continuing to support and monitor placements but at a much lower level. Relatives may 

seek guardianship for children though the courts. Once custody transfers to the relative 

foster-care services and benefits are withdrawn. 
NEW HAMPSHIRE 

Children in the custody of the Division of Children and Youth Services routinely are 

provided foster care by relatives. There are no situations defined by regulation that 

automatically preclude consideration of relative placements for children. 

The number of relative foster-care placements has increased over the last five years largely 

as a result of increased staf awareness of the importce of kinship ties. 

Approval and Monitorin~ of Relative Foster Homes 

The Division licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the 

State, but, in general, relative foster homes are not licensed. Child protection social 

workers and juvenile services officers study family relationships and basic safety issues 

and must submit their evaluations to the cours for approval, but the agency has no formal 

policy for reviewing relative foster-care homes. 

Foster-care staf must visit all children and foster parents every 30 days. The Division of 

Children and Youth Services does not provide special training concernng supervision of 

relative foster homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care do not receive general foster-care maintenance payments 

unless the foster home is licensed. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare 

agency is eligible for medical and denta benefits. Relatives, because they are not licensed 

do not belong to the State foster-care association. Respite-care services and liability 

insurance are available only to licensed foster parents; therefore, most relatives do not have 

access to these services. Relatives are not excluded from any social services which the 

State makes available to non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans calling for them to remain with relatives who have been 

freed for adoption may be adopted by the relative. State support continues only if the 

child is eligible for subsidized adoption. Relatives may seek guardianship for children 

though the courts. Once guardianship transfers to the relative, foster-care services and 

benefits are withdrawn. 
NEW JERSEY 

State policy requires that staff conduct a comprehensive search for all known relatives to 

assess the appropriateness of their providing a home for a child. This has been par of 

State policy since 1981. There are no regulations that automatically preclude consideration 

of relative placements for children. 

At the tie of the initial interview, the Deparent' s data system could not separately 

identify all children placed with relatives. (Current reporting from the State indicates the 

Deparment can now provide such information.) Administrators stated, however, the 

number of such placements seemed to have risen slightly over the last five years largely as 

a result of the increasing seriousness of the problems faced by the children coming into 

care. 

Approval and Monitorin~ of Relative Foster Homes 

Children placed with relatives by the Division of Youth and Famly Services may be 

considered 1) in a regular approved foster home, in which the relatives are approved as 

meeting the same stadards as non-related foster-care providers, or 2) a free home, in 

which the agency made an individual assessment and determned the relative s ability to 

appropriately care for the child. 

Caregivers may directly apply to be regular foster parents for related children only when 

the Division places children in the homes of relatives, or children are placed with the 

relatives as the result of litigation initiated by the Division, and the children were AFDC 

recipients in the home from which they were removed. 

The Division has another category of substitute care called para-foster care. Ths is an 

income maintenance program for children placed by someone other than the Division. 

Relative caregivers are eligible for para-foster parent consideration only when lack of 

documentation of the relationship or too distant a relationship makes the relatives ineligible 

for AFDC payments on behalf of the children. Para-foster stadards are not as strngent as 

those for regular foster-care approval. Once approved as a para-foster parent, a relative 

may apply and become a regular foster parent if all standards are met. Relative foster-care 

providers are about equally distrbuted among the three programs. 

Casework staff visit all children according to a schedule specified in the plan for the child. 

The caseworker and supervisor establish the visitation schedule based upon the needs of 

the child and caregiver.


Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments only if the 

foster home is approved. Para-foster parents receive payments comparable to AFDC for a 

famly size of one. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare agency is eligible 
for medical and dental benefits. Relatives are not excluded from any social services which 

the State makes available to non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

For some children, some form of long-term care by relatives may be the permanent plan. 

Children with permanent plans calling for them to remai with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in long-term foster care with the State agency 

continuing to support and monitor placements based on the needs of the famly and child. 

NEW MEXICO 

Children in the custody of the Deparent of Human Services routinely are provided foster 

care by relatives. State policy demands staff consider relatives as the first alternative for 

foster-care placement. Ths requirement was added to State policy before 1980. There are 

no situations defined by regulation that automatically preclude consideration of relative 

placements for children. 

The number of relative foster-care placements has remained relatively stable over the last 

five years, largely because of the increased pressure to find homes for the children entering 

foster care.


Approval and Monitorin~ of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes must be licensed as well, but the child may be placed before the 

licensing is completed. Relatives' homes must meet basic health and safety standards 

although the space and physical conditions requirements may be lower. The relatives must 

be capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated though a social 

work assessment, references, and criminal and protective service records checks. To be 

licensed, the relatives also must paricipate in foster-parent orientation and ongoing 

training. 

Relatives can sign a conditional substitute care agreement. This agreement allows relatives 

to assume care of children without a license but binds the relative to complete the 

licensing process withn four months. 

Social workers must visit all children and foster parents every 30 days. The Human 

Services Deparment does not provide special training concerning supervision of relative 

foster homes as distinct from other foster homes. 
Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Most relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments. All are 

eligible for foster-care reimbursement, but some famlies decline such support. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare agency is eligible for medical and denta benefits. 

Relatives are not excluded from any social services which the State makes available to 

non-related foster parents. 

Permanency OPtions 

Children with permanent plans calling for them to remai with relatives may be adopted by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Relatives may seek guardianship for children though the courts. Once custody transfers to the relative foster-care services and benefits are withdrawn. 

NEW YORK 

Children in the custody of the Deparment of Social Services routinely are provided foster 

care by relatives. State policy demands staff consider relatives as the first alternative for 

foster-care placement. Ths requirement has been a par of State law since 1987. There 

are no situations defined by regulation that automatically preclude consideration of relative 

placements for children. 

The number of children placed with relatives has risen greatly over the last five years. 

Administrators attrbute the rapid rise in such placements to two factors: a State Supreme 

Court case brought in 1986 (Eu~ene F. v. Gross) that resulted in State action incorporating 

relatives in the traditional foster-care system; and the passage of legislation demanding 

that staf considered relatives when placing children in foster homes. 

Approval and Monitorin~ of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes can be licensed based upon stadards the same criteria used for nonrelatives' homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health and safety standards; and 

relatives must be capable of providig care and protection for the child as demonstrated 

though a psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal and protective service records 

checks. To be licensed, the relatives also must paricipate in foster-parent orientation and ongoing training. 

Children also may be placed in approved relative foster homes. These homes are reviewed 

based upon the same criteria used for licensed homes but the Deparent can waive space 
and physical facility standards and age requirements. The decision to seek licensed status 

usually is made by the relatives. Administrators stated that most relatives are approved. 

Foster-care staf must visit children monthly or quarerly depending on whether children 

are in placement for child problems or parental problems. The Deparment of Social 

Services is developing a training currculum for working with relative foster-care providers. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maitenance payments. Any child in 

the custody of the State child welfare agency is eligible for medical and dental benefits 

unless the child is covered by private insurance. Relatives are not excluded from any 

social services which the State makes available to non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans calling for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in permanent foster care with the State agency 

continuing to support and monitor placements. The courts may grant relatives direct 

custody or guardianship (a stronger legal relationship) of the children. Whle relatives who 

obtan direct custody of children may be eligible for continued social services, they do not 

receive foster-care maintenance payments for care of the child. 

NORTH CAROLINA 

Children in the custody of the Deparment of Human Resources routiely are provided 

foster care by relatives. State policy states a preference for relative foster-care placements 

where appropriate. There are no situations defined by regulation that automatically 

preclude consideration of relative placements for children. 

The Deparment' s data system did not separately identify children placed with relatives 

until 1990, and administrators were uncertin of whether use of relative foster homes had 

undergone significant change over the last five years. 

Approval and Monitorin~ of Relative Foster Homes 

The county agencies license foster family homes for receiving children in the custody of 

the State. Relative foster homes can be licensed based upon the same criteria as nonrelatives' homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health , safety, and space standards; 

and, relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as 

demonstrated through a psychosocial assessment and reference checks. Waivers can be 
granted for space, age, and martal status. Children also may be placed in unlicensed 

relative foster homes; counties determne what standards should be applicable. 

Relatives' homes are licensed if the relatives want to be licensed and if the home can meet 

licensing criteria. The Deparent canot license foster parents who canot meet basic 

health and safety standards. Court orders concernng custody of children may stipulate 

parcular licensing arangements. Less than thee percent of relatives' homes are licensed. 

Foster-care staff must visit all licensed foster homes every 90 days; there are no policy 

guidelies for unlicensed homes. Staf do not receive specialized training concernng 

supervision of relative foster homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is licensed. Any Title IV-E eligible child is eligible for medical and dental benefits. 

For children who are not Title IV -E eligible, staff must make a determnation of their 

eligibilty for Medicaid. Relatives are not excluded from any social services which the 

Deparment makes available to non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans calling for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in permanent foster care with the Deparment 

continuing to support and monitor placements; judicial reviews may be discontinued at the 

discretion of the courts. Relatives may seek guardianship or temporar custody for 

children though the courts. Once custody transfers to the relative, foster-care services and 

benefits are withdrawn. 
NORTH DAKOTA 

The Departent Human Services routinely arranges for foster care provided by relatives 

for children in the custody of the County supervisors. State policy demands staff consider 

relatives as the first alternative for foster-care placement. This requirement has been a 

part of State policy for most of the history of the Departent. 

The Department s data system cannot separately identif children placed with relatives. 

Administrators stated, however, the number of relative foster-care placements has 

remained relatively stable. 

AVIJroval and Monitorinl! of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster family homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes can be licensed based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health, safety, and space standards; and, 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated 

through a psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal and protective service records 

checks. To be approved, the relatives also must participate in foster-parent orientation 

and ongoing training. Children also may be placed in unlicensed relative foster homes. 

These homes are reviewed at the county level, and each county determines its own methods 

and standards for conducting these reviews. 

The decision to seek licensed status usually is made by the relatives. Administrators could 

not provide informtion concerning the proportion of licensed relative foster homes to 

unlicensed relative foster homes. 

Foster-care staff must visit all children and foster parents every 30 days. The Departmnt 

of Human Services does not provide special training concerning supervision of relative 

foster homes.


Financial and Other SUIJIJort Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is licensed. Financially eligible children in the custody of the Department receive 

medical and dental benefits. Relatives are not excluded from any social services which the 

State makes available to non-related foster parents. 

8 Itacs indicate 


State staf did not respond to our written request to verify interview infonnation 

reported here. 
Permanency Ovtions 

Children with permnent plans callng for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in permnent foster care with the State agency 

continuing to support and monitor placements, or their long-term custody may be 

transferred to a special Casey Foundtion Family Program for intensive services and 

monitoring. Relatives may seek guardianship for children through the courts. Once 

custody transfers to the relative foster-care services and benefits are withdrawn. Because 

of the complexity of the guardianship process, relatives rarely pursue this option. 

OHIO 

Children in the custody of the Public Children s Services Agencies (PCSAs) routinely are 

provided foster care by relatives. State policy requires staf to investigate having relatives 

assume care for children as an alternative to foster care and, if children do come into the 

custody of the PCSAs, it requires staf to consider relatives as the first alternative for 

foster-care placement. Ths requirement has been a par of State policy since 1987. 

The number of children placed in relative foster homes has risen greatly in the last five 

years. Administrators stated ths increase was the result of the passage of the State statute 

requirng Deparental focus on these types of placements. Administrators also note there 

has been a significant increase in the number of children in the custody of relatives for 

whom the Department has supervisory responsibilty as a result of court orders. 

Approval and Monitorin~ of Relative Foster Homes 

The Deparment of Human Services certfies foster famly homes for receiving children in 

the custody of the PCSAs. Relative foster homes can be certfied based upon the same 

criteria as non-relatives' homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health, safety, and 

space stadards; and, relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the 

child as demonstrated though a psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal and 

protective service records checks. To be certfied, the relatives also must parcipate in 

foster-parent orientation and ongoing training. 

Children also may be placed in approved relative homes. These homes must meet the 

same basic standards as licensed foster homes, but waivers of non-essential criteria are 

more likely. 

PCSAs determne if a relative home should be certified. Administrators could not provide 

inormation concernng the proportion of certified relative foster homes to approved 

relative homes, but they believed the number of certified homes to be quite small. 
Foster-care staff must visit all children and foster parents every four weeks. The 

Deparment of Human Services does not provide special training concernng supervision of 

relative homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the home is 

certified. All children in the custody of the PCSAs are eligible for medical and denta 

benefits. Relatives are not excluded from any social services which the State makes 

available to non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Permanent care by a relative is a permanency goal in the State. Children with permanent 

plans calling for them to remain with relatives may be adopted by relatives with State 

support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized adoption. Courts may 

grant relatives guardianship or legal custody of children. Finally, children may remain in 

permanent foster care with the relative, with the State continuing to supervise and (if 

licensed) support these placements.


OKLAHOMA 

The Deparment of Human Services occasionally places children in its custody in relative 

foster-care homes. Only children in paid relative foster homes and some Native American 

children in supervised relative foster homes are included in the State s foster-care data 

base. Based upon a paral count, administrators noted that the number of relative fostercare placements has risen greatly, parcularly in the urban areas of the State. 

Approval and Monitorin~ of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes can be licensed based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health , safety, and space stadards; and 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated 

though a psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal and protective service records 

checks. To be licensed, the relatives also must parcipate in foster-parent orientation and 

ongoing training. 

Children also may be placed in unlicensed relative homes. For these homes, the county 

agencies conduct their own home studies with standards similar to licensing stadards. 
The decision to seek licensed status usually is made by the relatives. Administrators could 

not provide information concerning the proportion of licensed relative foster homes to 

unlicensed relative foster homes. Foster-care payment records would indicate that about 

25 % of the homes are licensed. 

Foster-care staff must visit all paid foster homes every 30 days. Staff must visit children 

in other homes based upon famly services policies which are similar to foster-care 

policies. The Deparent does not provide specialized training on supervising relative 

foster homes, but does give policy guidance for monitoring paid or unpaid placements. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is licensed. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare agency is eligible for 

medical and dental benefits. Relatives are not excluded from any social services which the 

State makes available to non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Permanent care by a relative is a permanency goal in the State. Children with permanent 

plans calling for them to remain with relatives may be adopted by relatives with State 

support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized adoption. Courts may 

grant relatives guardianship of the children. Finally, children may remain in permanent 

foster care with the relative, with the State continuing to supervise the home on a less 

frequent basis and, if licensed, financially support the placement. 

OREGOJt 

Children in the custody of the Department of Human Resources routinely are provided 

foster care by relatives. State policy demands staff consider relatives as the first 

alterntive for foster-care placement. This requirement has been a part of State policy 

since the early 1980s. There are no situations defined by regulation that automatically 

preclude consideration of relative placements for children. 

The number of children placed with relatives, particularly in non-paid relative placements, has increased greatly over the last five years. Administrators stated the rise was due to 

increased emphasis on relative foster homes in agency practice standards and policy. 

9 Itaics indicate State staf did not 
respond to our written request to verify interview infonnation 

reported here. 
AVIJroval and MonitorinJ! of Relative Foster Homes 

The State certifes foster family homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes can be certifed based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health, safety, and space standards; and, 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated 

through a psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal and protective service records 

checks. To be certifed, the relatives also must participate in foster-parent, pre-service 

training. 

Children also may be placed in uncertifed relative foster homes. Local foster-care staff 

check these homes for basic safety, and may check relatives through the Departent 

back records. 

The Department accepts applications for licensing only from relative foster parents who wil care for children who are eligible for Federal Title IV-E funding (i. , prior to 

entering the Department s custody, the children were not living in the home and were 

eligible for AFDC). 

Foster-care staff must visit all children and foster parents every 30 days. The Department 

of Human Resources does not provide special training concerning supervision of relative 

foster homes.


Financial and Other Suvvort Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster home is certifed and the children are eligible for Title IV-E foster-care funds (Lipscomb 

Simmons, now before the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals challenges Oregon s exclusion 

of non-IV-E eligible children placed with relatives from State foster-care funding. 

Children in certifed relative homes are eligible for medical and dental benefits. Noncertifed relatives are excluded from some social services which the State makes available 

to non-related foster parents, and are not covered by Foster Care Liability Insurance. 

Permnency Ovtions 

Children with permnent plans calling for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in permnent foster care with the State agency 

continuing to support certifed placements. Relatives may seek guardianship for children 

through the courts. Once custody transfers to the relative, foster-care services and 

benefits are withdrawn. 
PENNSYL VANIA 

Children in the custody of the Office of Children, Youth, and Famlies routinely are 

provided foster care by relatives in most counties of the State. A State Bulletin distrbuted 

in 1982 encouraged staf to search for and use relatives as foster parents for chidren when 

appropriate. 

The agency s data system canot separately identify children placed in relative foster-care 

homes. Admnistrators stated, however, that the number of children placed with relatives 

seems to have increased somewhat over the last five years, parcularly in urban areas. 

They attrbute this increase to two factors: the growing number of drug-addicted newborns 

being raised by grandparents, and the increased emphasis on extended famly ties within 

the Offce for Children, Youth and Famlies. 

Approval and Monitorin~ of Relative Foster Homes 

Counties license foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the counties, 

including relative foster homes. The criteria for licensing relatives' homes are the same 

criteria as for non-relatives' homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health , safety, 

and space stadards; and, relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for 

children as demonstrated through a psychosocial assessment. To be approved, the relatives 

also must paricipate in foster-parent orientation and ongoing training. 

Foster-care staf must visit all children and foster parents on a schedule developed as par 

of the case plans. The Offce of Children, Youth, and Famlies does not provide special

traiing concernng supervision of relative foster homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments. Any child in 

the custody of the county agencies is eligible for medical and dental benefits. Relatives 

are not excluded from any social services which the State makes available to non-related 

foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans callng for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in permanent foster care with the county agencies 

continuing to support and monitor placements. The counties may implement permanent 

plans for children called "Placement in the Home of a Relative. " In ths arangement, the 

agencies place children in the homes of relatives, offers intensive services, and, then when 

the placement is stable, transfers temporar custody to the relative and withdraws 

supervision and financial assistance from the family. 
RHODE ISLAND 

Children in the custody of the Deparment for Children, Youth and Famlies routinely are 

provided foster care by relatives. A cour decision in the early 1980s required the 

Deparment look first to relatives as a source of care for children. There are no situations 

defIned by regulation that automatically preclude consideration of relative placements for 

children. 

The number of relative foster-care placements has increased over the past five fiscal years. 

Admnistrators cited the success of Deparent efforts to educate staf about the 

importce of maintaning kiship ties as a major factor behind the increase. 

Approval and Monitorin~ of Relative Foster Homes 

The Deparment licenses foster family homes for receiving children in the custody of the 

State. All relative foster homes must be certified based upon similar criteria to those 

applied in licensing non-relatives' homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health, 

safety, and space standards; and, relatives must be capable of providing care and protection 

for children as demonstrated though psychosocial assessments, references, and criminal 

and protective service records checks. Unlike non-related foster parents, relatives are not 

required to parcipate in foster-parent orientation and ongoing training. Relative foster 

homes are recertfied biennially. 

Relatives usually seek full licensed status only if they wish to care for other, non-related 

children. 

Direct services staf must visit all children and foster parents based upon individual case 

plans. The Deparment of Children, Youth, and Famlies does not provide special training 

concernng supervision of relative foster homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

All relatives who provide foster care and want reimbursement receive foster-care 

maintenance payments. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare agency is 

eligible for medical and denta benefits. Relatives are not excluded from any social 

services which the State makes available to non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans calling for them to remain with relatives and for whom 

parental rights have been termnated may be adopted by the relative. State support 

continues only if the child is eligible for subsidized adoption. Children may be considered 
in permanent foster care with the State agency continuing to support and monitor 

placements. 

SOUTH CAROLINA 

Children in the custody of the Deparent of Social Services routinely are provided foster 

care by relatives. Since the 1970s, State policy has allowed staff to consider relatives 

when aranging foster-care placements. There are no situations defmed by regulation that 

automatically preclude consideration of relative placements for children but protective 

services caseworkers and foster-care caseworkers must confer on whether relatives should 

be explored. 

The Deparment' s data system does not separately identify children placed in relative foster 

homes. Administrators indicated, however, that the number of children placed with 

relatives has risen slightly, parally due to shortges of traditional, non-related foster 

homes. 

Approval and Monitorin~ of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes can be licensed based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health, safety, and space stadards; and 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for children as demonstrated 

though psychosocial assessments, references, and criminal and protective service records 

checks. To be licensed, the relatives also must paricipate in foster-parent orientation and 

ongoing training. 

Relatives also may care for children by obtaining an "certficate of approval, " which allows 

them to care only for specific related children. The approval process for obtaning the 

certficate is similar to the licensing evaluation except that these relatives are not required 

to obtain a medical reference nor must they parcipate in Deparmental training. 

The decision to seek licensed status usually is made by the relatives. Fewer than five 

percent of relatives seek a certificate of approval rather than a license. 

Foster-care staff must visit all children in out of home care every 30 days. The 

Deparment of Social Services does not provide special training concernng supervision of 

relative foster homes. 
Financial and Other Supoort Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is licensed. With few exceptions, children in out of home care are eligible for 

medical and dental benefits though Medicaid. Relatives are not excluded from any social 

services which the State makes available to non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans calling for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in permanent foster care with the Deparent 

continuing to support and monitor placements. Relatives may seek legal custody for 

children though the courts. Once custody transfers to the relative foster-care services and 

benefits are withdrawn. 

SOUTH DAKOTA 

Children in the custody of the Deparent of Social Services routinely are provided foster 

care by relatives. As a result of the Indian Child Welfare Act passed in 1978, the 

Deparment has emphasized the importce of maintaig kinship ties when placing 

Native American children in foster care. There are no situations defined by regulation that 

automatically preclude consideration of relative placements for children, but indications of 

any abuse should cause staff to proceed cautiously in placing children. 

Until 1990, the Deparment' s data system could not separately identify children placed 

with relatives. Administrators indicated, however, that the number of children placed with 

relatives had grown, paricularly in reservation areas, over the last five years. They 

attrbuted the increase to the greater awareness of Indian Child Welfare Act requirements 

and to recognition among staff of the importance of famly connections. 

Approval and Monitorin~ of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes can be licensed based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives' homes must meet basic health, safety, and space stadards; and 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated 

though a psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal and protective service records 

checks; and the relatives must paricipate in foster-parent orientation and ongoing training. 

Children also may be placed in unlicensed relative foster homes. The Deparment must 

evaluate these homes for health and safety problems, insure there are no reports concerning 
the relatives in the State s Protective Services Central Registr, and secure court approval 

for the placement. 

In general, only relatives who want to care for non-related children apply for licensing. 

Therefore, administrators indicated, there are few licensed relative foster homes. 

Foster-care staf must visit all children and foster parents every 30 days. The Deparent 

of Social Services does not provide special training concernng supervision of relative 

foster homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is licensed. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare agency is eligible for 

medical and dental benefits. Relatives are not excluded from any social services which the 

State makes available to non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans calling for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in permanent foster care with the State agency 

continuing to support, if the relative is licensed, and monitor placements. Relatives may 

seek guardianship for children though the courts. Once custody transfers to relatives, they 

may receive a subsidy from the State to assist in the care of the children. 

TENNESSEElO 

Children in the custody of the Department of Human Services routinely are provided foster 

care by relatives. State policy demands staff consider relatives as the first alterntive for 

foster-care placement. There are no situations defined by regulation that automatically 

preclude consideration of relative placements for children. 

The Department s data system cannot separately identif children placed in relative fostercare homes. Administrators indicated the number of such placements had increased over 

the past five years, largely because of policy and training emphasis on placing children in 

the "least restrictive environment" was beginning to take hold. 

1 0 Itaics indicate State staf did not respond to our written request to verify interview infonnation 

reported here. 
Avvroval and MonitorinJ! of Relative Foster Homes 

The State approves foster family homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes can be approved based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health , safety, and space standrds; and, 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the child as demonstrated 

through a psychosocial assessment, references, and criminal and protective service records 

checks. To be approved, the relatives also must participate in foster-parent orientation. 

Children also may be placed in unapproved relative foster homes. These homes undergo 

risk assessment, and the relatives ' backgrounds are checked against police computers. 

The decision to seek licensed status usually is made by the relatives. Administrators could 

not provide informtion concerning the proportion of approved relative foster homes to 

unapproved relative foster homes. 

Foster-care staff must visit all approved foster homes every 30 days. Staff must visit 

children in unapproved homes on a regular schedule determined by the casework plan for 

the case.


Financial and Other Suvvort Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is approved. In 1989, legislation to facilitate relative placements encouraged the

Departent to provide financial assistance to relatives if there are economic barriers to 

placing children with family members. Any child in the custody of the Departent is 

eligible for Federal or State medical and dental benefits. Relatives are not excluded from 

any social services which the State makes available to non-related foster parents. 

Permnency Ovtions 

Children with permnent plans calling for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in permnent foster care with relatives if no other 

option is possible. The Department continues to monitor permnent foster-care placements 

on a quarterly basis and to provide assistance if it was previously available. 
TEXAS 

The Deparment of Human Services occasionally places children for whom it has 

conservatorship with relatives. There are no situations defined by regulation that 

automatically preclude consideration of relative placements for children. 

The number of children placed with relatives has remained relatively stable over the last 

five years.


Approval and Monitorin~ of Relative Foster Homes 

There are two means of studying relative foster homes for placement of children: 

certfication as a foster home, or a relative home study. The Deparment certfies foster 

famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. Relative foster homes can 

be certified based upon the same criteria as non-relatives ' homes: the relatives ' homes 

must meet basic health, safety, and space standards; and, relatives must be capable of 

providing care and protection for the children as demonstrated though psychosocial 

assessments, references, and criminal and protective service records checks. To be 

certfied, the relatives also must paricipate in foster-parent training. The Deparent may 

allow varances for some stadards, but ths rarely happens. Few relative placements are 

certfied. 

Children usually are placed in uncertfied relative foster homes. These homes are reviewed 

by field staf through a home study and reference checks. 

Deparent staf determne whether relatives should apply for certfication based upon the 

financial needs of the famly. Administrators could identify only 12 certfied relative 

foster homes. 

Foster-care staff must visit all children in conservatorship every 30 days. The Deparment 

of Human Services does not provide special training concerning supervision of relative 

foster homes on a statewide basis. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who are certfied foster parents receive foster-care maintenance payments. 

Children in the custody of the State child welfare agency who receive care in licensed or 

certified foster homes are usually eligible for other foster-care assistace benefits including 

Medicaid and Early Periodic Screening Detection and Treatment (EPSDT). The abilty to 

provide supportve services is determned on a local level. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanency plans callng for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 
adoption. Relatives may seek to assume managing conservatorship for children though 

the cours. Once custody transfers to the relative, foster-care services and benefits are 

withdrawn. In exceptional situations, children may be considered in permanent foster care 

with the relative. The Deparent and the courts continue to support and monitor 

placements. 

UTAH 

Children in the custody of the Deparent of Human Services or for whom the Deparent 

exercises guardianship routinely are provided foster care by relatives. 

The Deparent' s data system cannot separately identify all children placed in relative 

foster-care homes. Administrators were unable to estimate what the trend in use of relative 

homes had been over the last five years. 

Approval and Monitorin~ of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes must be licensed based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health , safety, and space stadards; and, 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the children as demonstrated 

though a psychosocial assessments, references, and criminal and protective service records 

checks. The relatives may paricipate in foster-parent training. Space standards and 

training can be waived. 

Foster-care staff must visit all children and foster parents every 30 days. The Deparent 

of Human Services does not provide special training concerng supervision of relative 

foster homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Almost all relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance. A few 

relatives decline foster-care payments. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare 

agency is eligible for medical and dental benefits. Relatives are not excluded from any 

social services which the State makes available to non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans callng for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in long-term foster care with the State agency 

continuing to support and monitor placements. Relatives may seek guardianship for 
chidren though the courts. Once custody transfers to the relative foster-care services and 

benefits may be withdrawn. Adolescents who are 16 years old or older someties have 

a permanent plan independent living. In some cases, the adolescents may receive 

Independent Living transition assistace while boarding in the homes of relatives. 

VERMONT 

Children in the custody of the Deparment of Social and Rehabiltation Services routinely 

are provided foster care by relatives. The Deparent encourages staff to investigate 

placements that maintan famly ties. There are no situations defined by regulation that 

automatically preclude consideration of relative placements for children. 

The number of foster-care placements with relatives has remained relatively stable over the 

past five years.


Approval and Monitorin~ of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes can be licensed based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives' homes must meet basic health, safety, and space stadards ; and, 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the children as demonstrated 

though psychosocial assessments, references, and crinal and protective service records 

checks. To be licensed, the relatives also must parcipate in foster-parent training. 

Children also may be placed in unlicensed relative foster homes. Foster-care staf conduct 

a home study to ensure the premises are free of danger, evaluate the relatives ' ability to 

care for the children, and secure agreements from the relatives that they wil cooperate 

with the Deparent in carng for the children. 

The decision to seek licensed status usually is made by the relatives. Administrators could 

not provide the number of licensed relative foster homes, but indicated that more than half 

of relative foster-care parents were licensed. 

Foster-care staff must visit all children and foster parents on a schedule specified in the 

case plan. The Deparment of Human Services does not provide special training 

concerning supervision of relative foster homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

homes are licensed; approved relatives can receive provisional foster-care maintenance 

payments. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare agency is eligible for 
medical and dental benefits. Relatives are not excluded from any social services which the 

State makes available to non-related foster parents, but unlcensed relatives canot belong 

to the State Foster Care Association. Thus, they lose the benefit of that organization 

programs. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans calling for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in permanent foster care with the Deparent 

contiuing to support and monitor placements. Relatives may seek guardianship for 

children though the courts. If relatives are named guardians for children and custody 

transfers to the relatives, foster-care services and benefits are withdrawn. The Deparent, 

however, does sometimes retan legal custody even if relatives are named as guardians for 

children. In this case, Deparental support can continue. 

VIRGIN 

Children in the custody of the Deparment of Social Services routinely are provided foster 

care by relatives. State policy since 1980 has identified placement with relatives as a 

placement goal. There are no situations defined by regulation that automatically preclude 

consideration of relative placements for children. 

The number of children placed with relatives has remained relatively stable over the last 

five years.


Approval and Monitorin~ of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

All relative foster homes must be licensed, except for short-term placements durig which 

relatives need only secure 30-day approvals. Relatives' homes are licensed based upon the 

same criteria as non-relatives' homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health , safety, 

and space standards; and, relatives must be capable of providig care and protection for the 

children as demonstrated though psychosocial assessments, references, and crinal and 

protective service records checks. Relatives may parcipate in foster- parent training when 

it is offered by the agency. 

Foster-care staff must visit all children and foster parents every 90 days. The Deparment 

of Social Services does not provide special training concerning supervision of relative 

foster homes. 
Financial and Other SUPpOrt Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is fully licensed and the relative wants such assistace. Any child in the custody of 

the State child welfare agency is eligible for medical and dental benefits. Relatives are not 

excluded from any social services which the Deparment makes available to non-related 

foster parents.


Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans callng for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. The courts may order that children be placed in the permanent care of relatives 

which may end Deparmenta support and monitoring of placements. Finally, the courts 

might order that the children be placed in permanent foster care with the relative. Under 

such an order, the Deparent reduces monitoring of the placement but support continues. 

WASIDNGTON 

Children in the custody of the Division of Children and Famly Services routinely are 

provided foster care by relatives. Placing children with relatives has always been a priority 

in agency policies. There are no situations defined by regulation that automatically 

preclude consideration of relative placements for children, but staff are cautioned 

parcularly in abuse situations to assess the possibilty that the pattern of abuse is 

intergenerational. 

The number of children placed with relatives cannot be readily determned from the 

existing State data system, but a system the agency has recently implemented wil identify 

such placements. Administrators stated that the number of placements with relatives has 

remained relatively stable. 

Approval and Monitorin~ of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Some relative foster homes are licensed, based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health , safety, and space stadards; and 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the children as demonstrated 

though psychosocial assessments, references, and criminal and protective service records 

checks. The Division of Children and Famly Services offers licensing only to those 

individuals who care for IV -E eligible children. 
Most relative foster homes are not licensed. Staff complete a detaled home study and 

background checks for unlicensed relative foster homes. 

Foster-care staff must visit all children every 30 days. Exceptions can be made to ths 

schedule with supervisory approval after dependency is established. The Deparent of 

Social Services does not provide special training concernng supervision of relative foster 

homes. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Licensed relatives who provide foster care to Title IV -E eligible children receive fostercare maintenance payments. All children in the care of the Division are eligible for 

medical and dental benefits. Those relatives who are not licensed are not eligible for 

respite-care or clothg vouchers on behalf of children. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans calling for them to remain with relatives and for whom 

parenta rights have been termnated may be adopted by the relative. State support 

continues only if the child is eligible for subsidized adoption. The cours may order 

children placed in long-term foster care with the relative. The agency continues to support 

and monitor long-term foster care placements. The cours may grant guardianship to the 

relatives; ths action ends agency involvement with the famly. 

WEST VIRGINIA 

The Office of Social Services occasionally places children in its custody in relative fostercare homes. Since 1980, one of the terms of a foster-care consent decree has requied the 

agency to use relatives, if available, for emergency placements for children. There are no 

situations defined by regulation that automatically preclude consideration of relative 

placements for children. 


The Office of Social Services data base does not separately identify children in relative 

foster-care placements. Admistrators stated, however, that the number of children placed 

with relatives had risen somewhat over the last five years, largely as a result of the 

decrease in the pool of available non-related foster homes. 

Approval and Monitorin~ of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster famly homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

Relative foster homes can be licensed based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health , safety, and space stadards; and 
relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the children as demonstrted 

though psychosocial and medical assessments. To be approved, the relatives also must 

parcipate in foster-parent orientation and agree to abide by Deparent policies and 

decisions. 

The agency also may place children in unlicensed relative foster homes. There are no 

formal procedures for review of these homes. 

The decision to seek licensed status usually is made by the relative based upon their need 

for fmancial reimbursement and their wilingness to submit to State policies. Less than 

half of all relative foster homes are licensed. 

Foster-care staf must visit all non-relative foster homes every 30 days. Staf must visit 

children in relative foster homes more frequently than non-relative homes for the fIrst 90 

days. Mter the placement has stabilzed, foster-care staff visit the home less frequently 

than the 30-day requirement. 

Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care. receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is licensed and if, prior to coming into the custody of the Offce of Social Services, 

the child was eligible for Aid to Famlies with Dependent Children and was not living with 

the relative. Any child in the custody of the State child welfare agency is eligible for 

medical and dental benefits. Relatives are not excluded from any social services which the 

State makes available to non-related foster parents. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans callng for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. The courts may order children placed in permanent foster care with the relative. 

The agency continues to support and monitor permanent foster-care placements. 
WISCONSINll 

Children in the custody of the Bureau of Children, Youth and Families routinely are 

provided foster care by relatives. There are no situations defined by regulation that 

automatically preclude consideration of relative placements for children. 

The Bureau s data system cannot separately identif all placements with relative. 

Administrators stated, however, the number of children placed with relatives has remained 

relatively stable over the last five years. 

AIJIJroval and Monitorinl! of Relative Foster Homes 

The State licenses foster family homes for receiving children in the custody of the State. 

All relative foster homes must be licensed based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives ' homes must meet basic health, safety, and space standards; and 

relatives must be capable of providing care and protection for the children 

demonstrated through a psychosocial assessment. The Bureau may waive requirements 

relatives cannot meet them. 

The individual counties determine their own standrds for visiting foster homes. The 

Bureau of Children, Youth and Family Services does not provide special training 

concerning supervision of relative foster homes. 

Financial and Other SUIJIJort Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maintenance payments if the foster 

home is licensed and the family wants such reimbursement. Any child in the custody of the 

State child welfare agency is eligible for medical and dental benefits. Relatives are not 

excluded from any social services which the State makes available to non-related foster 

parents. 

Permnency OIJtions 

Children with permnent plans callng for them to remain with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. If the Bureau successfully petitions to terminate parental rights, but has no 

adoptive homes for children, the children are considered in sustaining care. The Bureau 

continues supporting and monitoring the placement. The court may approve moving 

children into long-term foster care with the relatives. The agency continues to support and 

monitor (on a reduced schedule) long-term, foster-care placements. Relatives may seek 

11 Itacs indicate State staf did not respond to our written request to verify interview infonnation 

reported here. 
guardianship for children through the courts. Once custody transfers to the relative fostercare services and benefits are withdrawn. 

WYOMING 

Children in the custody of the Division of Public Assistace and Social Services routinely 

are provided foster care by relatives. The Division also contracts with trbal authorities for 

placement of Native American children, and most of these placements are with relative 

foster-care providers. State policy demands staf consider relatives as the fIrst alternative 

for foster-care placement. Ths requirement has been a par of State policy since 1985. 

The Division cannot identify relative foster-care placements, parcularly for Native 

American children, but admistrators stated that the number of such placements had risen 

greatly over the last five years. They cited child protective training focusing on the

importce of maintaining children s famly ties, and the formation of agency policy in this 

area as the reasons for the shar rise in relative placements. 

Approval and Monitorin~ of Relative Foster Homes 

The Division licenses foster famy homes for receiving children in the custody of the 

State. Relative foster homes can be licensed based upon the same criteria as non-relatives 

homes: the relatives' homes must meet basic health and safety stadards; and, relatives 

must be capable of providing care and protection for the children as demonstrated though 

psychosocial assessments, references, and limited criminal and records checks. Foster-care 

licensing criteria may be waived, but the stadards usually do not present a barer to 

relative placements. 

Children also may be placed in unlicensed relative foster homes. These homes are 

reviewed only for conditions that might jeopardize the health and safety of the children 

placed there. 

The decision to seek licensed status usually is made by the relatives, but judges' rulings on 

the custody of children often order the Division to license relatives. Administrators could 

not provide information concerning the proportion of licensed relative foster homes to 

unlicensed relative foster homes, but they stated that most were licensed. 

Foster-care staff must visit all children and foster parents every 30 days. The Deparent 

of Human Services does not provide special training concerng supervision of relative 

foster homes. 
Financial and Other Support Services for Relative Foster Parents 

Relatives who provide foster care receive foster-care maitenance payments if the foster 

home is licensed and the relative requires such assistace. Any child in the custody of the 

State child welfare agency is eligible for medical and denta benefits. Relatives are not 

excluded from any social services which the State makes available to non-related foster 

parents. 

Permanency Options 

Children with permanent plans callig for them to remai with relatives may be adopted 

by relatives, with State support continuing only if the children are eligible for subsidized 

adoption. Children may be considered in permanent foster care with the State agency 

continuing to support and monitor placements. Relatives may seek guardianship for 

children though the court. Once custody transfers to the relative, foster-care services and 

benefits are withdrawn.