Research* shows that broad kin networks are directly linked to better outcomes for children and youth in the child welfare system. Here are 5 reasons why child welfare is increasingly collaborating with community members to keep children and youth safe

1

Children and youth in the care of the child welfare system really care about the adults in their extended networks – regardless of whether they are related to them or not. One research study documents that children living in foster care are deeply attuned to the power of these networks - much more than children and youth who are not in care.

2

Children and youth are safer and happier when extended kin networks are involved in their lives. A research study that focused specifically on adult mentors outside of the nuclear family has found that they provide unique protective benefits. Research also shows that broad kinship networks are linked to less anxiety, substance use, and antisocial behavior among children and youth. The protective impact of extended kin networks has also been studied among children and youth in care. The study’s findings show that kin play an important role in reducing the impact of maltreatment, and the trauma children and youth experience when they first come into care.

3

Community members who are familiar to a child or youth (also sometimes referred to as “kith”) can be great primary caregivers when children and youth are not able to live with their families. But research shows that occasional, informal acts of support also have a powerfully positive impact on children and youth who can’t live with their families. One research study measured the effects of informal support like visits, telephone calls, and tutoring for children and youth in care and based on the positive results argues for a “shift in current child welfare practice because the engagement of noncustodial extended family and fictive kin (a.k.a. community members) is not a priority in the field.”

4

Broad kinship networks also improve outcomes for children and youth in care because they provide invaluable respite to the primary temporary caregiver, whether it is a foster parent or kin parent who has stepped in. It doesn’t take research to know that a supported caregiver is a better parent. But kinship networks that support the primary caregiver are also linked to placement stability for children and youth. One research study shows that when the extended network supports the primary caregiver with services like transportation and babysitting they are less likely to become overwhelmed and quit.