Kinship Care:

Kinship care is the full-time care of children by relatives.  This type of care occurs informally, when children are not involved with public child welfare agencies, and formally, when public child welfare agencies are involved in placing children with relatives.  Informal and formal kinship caregivers are gaining greater recognition by federal and state governments for their roles in the child welfare system.

"Kinship Care in Washington State: Prevalence, Policy, and Needs" describes the prevalence and characteristics of kinship care, needs of kinship care providers in Washington State, policies and services available in Washington and other states, and policy options that may increase appropriate kinship care placements.

DSHS has launched a new website that can help grandparents and other relatives raising children find the resources and supports they need and want. Here is a link to the website.