Grandparent/Kinship Families

According to the Children's Bureau Express, preference for children who need substitute (foster) care is given to relatives - including grandparents, aunts and uncles, and others.  While some of these arrangements fall under formal foster care agreements,  many do not, and many grandparent/relative caregiving situations are informal, having been privately agreed between family members. Some of the issues facing grandparent/kinship caregivers are:

• the financial obligations
• strained relationships with biological parents
• limited authority to act on behalf of the children
• grandparents getting older

and others.

Support and information are key factors for our families:

For Grandparents & Other Relatives

• Relative Adoption
• Legal Options for Relative Caregivers (adoption, open adoption, legal custody, guardianship, medical & educational consent)
• Library of Articles for Grandparents and Other Relative Caregivers

More for Grandparents

• Grandparents as Parents
  Explore your legal options, aging issues, parenting concerns, and find support groups and resources.