Children do best when they are with family. When children are removed from their homes, it is preferred that they are placed with relatives or kin . The Children’s Bureau (CB) oversees and provides guidance on a variety of federal programs that support title IV-E agencies and those caring for relative children.
The final rule "Separate Licensing Standards for Relative or Kinship Foster Family Homes" allows title IV-E agencies to use federal funding to help cover the costs of foster care for eligible children placed with relatives or kin. Title IV-E agencies should collaborate with groups disproportionately represented in foster care when developing separate licensing or approval standards that align with the racial, cultural, and ethnic norms of families.
The optional title IV-E Kinship Navigator Program assists states, tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal consortia (hereafter “tribes”) to support kin caregivers with locating and accessing services, such as health care, legal assistance, and financial aid. The program is authorized by title IV-E of the Social Security Act. Federal assistance may only be used for kinship navigator programs that are evidence based as designated by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse . A kinship navigator program implemented by a title IV-E agency must meet the requirements described in section 427(a)(1) of the Social Security Act. Funding is contingent upon an approved title IV-E plan to administer or supervise the program.
Title IV-B, subpart 2 provides for formula grants for kinship navigator programs. These funds help states and tribes develop, enhance, or evaluate kinship navigator programs. This funding has been appropriated by Congress since 2018.
The optional title IV-E Guardianship Assistance Program helps states and tribes provide guardianship assistance payments for the care of children for relatives who have assumed legal guardianship of eligible children for whom they previously cared as foster parents. Funding is contingent upon an approved title IV-E plan to administer or supervise the program. Federal assistance may only be used to support the care of children discharged from foster care to legal guardianships that meet the eligibility requirements specified in the statute. Funds may also be used to support siblings of eligible children in certain situations.
Children’s Bureau Policy Resources
Child Welfare Policy Manual
This manual offers policy information across nine areas, including titles IV-E and IV-B of the Social Security Act.
PI-23-10
This Program Instruction presents information on the separate licensing standards for relative or kinship foster family homes.
PI-18-11
This Program Instruction provides guidance to title IV-E agencies on the requirements for participating in the Kinship Navigator Program.
PI-24-08
This Program Instruction provides guidance on the actions required to apply for title IV-B, subpart 2 funding to support the development, enhancement, or evaluation of kinship navigator programs.
Additional Resources From the Children’s Bureau and Children's Bureau-Funded Entities
Dear Colleague Letter on Supporting Kinship Caregivers
This joint letter from the Administration for Children and Families and the Administration for Community Living (ACL) describes the collaboration and coordinated efforts of CB and ACL to support grandfamilies and kinship families to prevent unnecessary involvement in the child welfare system and maintain connections to kin when child welfare intervention is necessary.
Information Gateway Kinship Care Resources
This page on the Child Welfare Information Gateway website offers resources and information about prioritizing the placement of children with kin and supporting kin caregivers by using family engagement strategies and providing culturally appropriate and equitable training, services, and supports.
Resources for Adult Sibling Caregivers
This factsheet provides resources for state child welfare agencies and kinship navigator programs regarding assistance for adult sibling caregivers.
State Kinship Care Contacts and Programs
This Child Welfare Information Gateway database provides contact information and website links for kinship care programs and services offered by state child welfare departments, subcontracted private nonprofit agencies, and certain tribes.