Kinship care is the care of a child by a relative family member or non-relative who has a close family-like bond with the child.

Kinship families are part of all communities across California. In 2021, an estimated 1.15 million California children under the age of 18 lived in homes where a relative was head of household, and for every 1 child being raised by kin in formal foster care, 14 children were being raised by kin outside of foster care (informal kinship caregiving).

Kinship families offer a tremendous opportunity for vulnerable children and youth to grow up in safety and maintain family connections when their parents are unable or unwilling to care for them. Kinship caregivers open their hearts and home to a relative’s child and provide essential care and nurturing for their kinship children. Studies have shown that kinship care leads to better emotional health, fewer placements, and better long-term life outcomes for children who are raised in out-of-home care. Yet, kinship caregiving also comes with unique challenges and a need for access to the right resources and support.