Kinship and Alternate Care

Issued on November 30, 2006, Children's aid societies are required to apply the Ontario Kinship Service Standards in service delivery as of December 31, 2006.

The Ontario Permanency Funding Policy Guidelines (Funding Guidelines) have been in place since January 26, 2007 (updated July 1st, 2023) and provide a framework for the provision of financial assistance for the purposes of facilitating admission prevention, kinship service, place of safety, customary care, legal custody, and adoption options.

Report compiled by the Kinship Service Subcommittee that identified gaps in kinship service practices. Note: login to myOACAS required to access.

Report highlighting the need to revitalize Customary Care for First Nations children in Ontario by addressing systemic barriers and promoting culturally grounded, community-led practices.

Video from the 2024 Change Child Welfare International Virtual Conference that explores the importance of leadership in kinship promotion.

Tool developed to help child welfare agencies assess and improve kin-first practices, offering a diagnostic framework and access to national, state, and tribal resources for quality improvement.

Toolkit sharing promising practices from over 35 child welfare agencies to help identify, connect with, and support kin caregivers.

Issue paper summarizing insights from 40+ agencies across 10 U.S. states on challenges and success factors in expanding kinship care, with a focus on how technology can support kin identification and engagement.

Guide outlining seven steps to build a kin-first culture in child welfare.

Webinar focusing on the Family Finding model which offers methods and strategies to locate and engage extended family, as well as First Nation, Metis and Inuit communities for children/youth currently living in out-of-care placements.

Webinar series in California for Child Abuse Prevention Month presented by Kevin Campbell. For more by Kevin Campbell, see Lighting the Fire of Urgency: Introduction to Family Finding and Importance of Family Connectedness Part 1 and Part 2.

Research conducted by PART that explores the myths and evidence pertaining to kinship to build awareness of implicit bias in placement decision-making.

Study exploring how professional attitudes toward kinship care influence child removal decisions, with findings suggesting bias, financial factors, and social pressures impact outcomes.

Webinar conducted by Métis Associate Professor, Susan Burke, who presents findings from two research studies done in British Columbia: one involving Indigenous kinship caregivers and the other involving Indigenous Elders. on what we can learn about best practices with Indigenous kinship caregivers.

Factsheet developed by the Child Welfare Information Gateway that sheds light upon the challenges and nuances that can arise in kinship care arrangements.

Article that offers tips on supporting kin caregivers and emphasizes the importance of strong approaches to engaging and supporting possible family connections after they are found.

Webinar conducted by Métis Associate Professor, Susan Burke, who presents findings from two research studies done in British Columbia: one involving Indigenous kinship caregivers and the other involving Indigenous Elders.

Study assessing kinship care in BC a decade after policy reform, recommending ongoing evaluation and improved supports to better meet caregivers’ needs.

Exploratory case study identifying key needs of kinship caregivers in northern British Columbia to support kinship care as a sustainable option for children.

Highlights resources and research on kinship/alternate care and permanency, with specific attention brought to the need to connect Indigenous children to family, community, and culture.

Offers resources and research on kinship care specific to Black families and communities, as well as general research on topics such as the justice system, and child welfare and well-being.

Presents research and reports on disparities in support and outcomes for 2LSGBTQ+ youth in foster care and implications for child welfare practice.

Offers information and resources on permanency for child welfare professionals.