Kinship Care vs. Traditional Foster Care  

Adapted from Kinship Adoption: Meeting the Unique Needs of a Growing Population, by ChildFocus, Inc. and the North American Council on Adoptable Children, April 2010  

Special thanks to Joe Crumbley for his contributions to the “Kinship Care vs. Foster Care” framework 

 

KINSHIP FOSTER CARE / ADOPTION  TRADITIONAL FOSTER CARE / ADOPTION 

 Pre‐existing relationship with child 

 No pre‐existing relationship with child 

 Redefines existing family relationships 

 Creates new family relationships 

 Mixed feelings about loss of parent to child 

 Celebration of a newly formed family 

 Mixed feelings about loss of role as 

grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc. 

 Excitement about new role as parent 

 Knowledge of family dynamics 

 Limited knowledge of family dynamics 

 Decision to become caregiver is unplanned and in crisis; request from parent, child 

protection or courts 

 Decision to become a caregiver is planned 

and voluntary 

 Limited preparation for caregiving 

 Preparation for caregiving role and support already in place before child is placed in 

home 

 Unanticipated requirements to become a 

foster or adoptive parent 

 Requirements to become foster or adoptive 

parent are anticipated 

 Guilt over birth parent problems 

 No guilt over birth parent problems 

 Guilt for taking over parental role for child 

 Feelings that they are saving the child 

 Perception that they are betraying birth parent by assuming legal relationships 

 Feeling that they are displaying loyalty and commitment to child by assuming legal 

relationship 

 In competition with birth parent if child 

becomes attached to relative 

 Motivated to demonstrate attachment that is as strong as previous attachment with parent 

 Split loyalties and hesitation to legalize 

relationship 

 High motivation to legalize relationship 

 

Parent Interest Inventory

Parent Name: ________________________ Children’s Names and Grades: ________________________________ _______________________________ ________________________________ _______________________________ ________________________________ _______________________________

Areas of Interest: Child Development: __ Ages 3-5 __ Infants and Toddlers __ Reading with Children __ Potty Training __ Discipline Health & Safety: __ Child proofing your home __ Allergies & Asthma __ Diabetes __ First Aid/CPR __ Poisons and Toxins __ Smoking and Smoking Cessation __ Drug/Alcohol abuse __ Medical Insurance __ Lead Poisoning __ Birth Control or Prenatal Information Nutrition: __ Cooking and baking workshops __ Healthy Snacks __ Understanding food labeling __ Cooking with children at home __ Diet & weight control __ Exercising to good health Mental Health: __ Building relationships __ Building Self-esteem __ Stress management __ Death, dying & grief __ How to deal with anger __ How to deal with fear __ Dealing with Substance Abuse __ Domestic Violence __ Counseling Parenting/Family Life: __ Child support (What is the law?) __ Peer pressure issues __ Step parenting & blended families __ Grandparents raising children __ Childcare after school __ Divorce/Separation __ Sibling rivalry

Home Management: __ Budgeting/Money Management __ Credit Counseling __ Renters Rights (the law) __ Household tips __ Furniture/Appliances __ Housing repairs/Weatherization __ Energy Assistance Personal: __ Expanding your education __ Resume writing / Job readiness __ Setting realistic goals __ GED __ Computer classes __ Financial assistance for school __ SSI or social security guidelines __ Getting a Drivers License Just for fun: __ Crafts- home decorations __ Aerobics __ Makeover Tips (Hair, makeup, etc.) __ Group Sports (softball, volleyball, bowling) __ Sewing __ Relaxation tips Parent Involvement: __ Volunteering in the classroom __ Assisting on fieldtrips __ Assisting with clerical work __ Assisting with Parent Workshops and Trainings __Serve on Policy Committee/Policy Council __ Serve Parent Committee

I am available to participate in parent activities in the: Morning __________ Afternoon __________ Evening ____________ In order for me to participate in parent activities, I would need assistance with: Child care ___________ Transportation ____________ Other ______________ Do you have any special talents or interests that you would be willing to share with other families in this program? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE?

DIRECTIONS:

1. Use the front of the plate diagram to represent all of the things that fill up your life. Let each slice of the pie represent one area of your life. Some examples are listed below. Draw the size of the ‘slices of pie’ portions according to how much of your life each portion represents for you. The bigger the slice, the more energy, focus or drain you feel in that area of your life. In each slice, write what that slice represents.

Here are some examples of areas of your life. There are many other possibilities:

Personal: Well-being, fun, recreation, family, friends, significant other, personal growth, finances and physical environment such as car and home.

Professional: projects, work relationships, office space, generating results, integrating work and life, time management and organization, career goals, opportunity for growth.

Parenting: Parenting time, managing schedules, living space, child behavior, development, childcare, time for self and with other parent, child’s well-being.

2. Next, rate your level of satisfaction with each portion size. Put a number in each slice, from ‘0’ to ‘10’ where ‘0’ is no satisfaction and ‘10’ is complete satisfaction. For example, if you have a slice labeled “well-being” and you are not satisfied that your “well-being” slice is very small, write in a low rating. If you have a large slice labeled “finances”, and you are not satisfied that this slice is so large, give this slice a low rating. In any sections rated with a ‘0’ or low number, indicate what is missing that makes your satisfaction level low.

Continued on reverse

3. Now, use this side of the plate diagram to represent the things and people that support you in your life. These are the supports that help you to manage the areas of life you have listed on the front of your plate. Who or what holds up your full plate of responsibilities?

Some examples of what you might choose that are supportive:

Time with friends, time with family, exercise, mediation, reading, travel, humor and hobbies.

WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE?continued

Now process what’s on your plate. Here are some questions to get started:l What stood out to you as you completed this exercise?l What part of your plate would you like to discover more about?l What does this exercise illustrate for you?

l What makes your life seem balanced?

l What would happen if your plate changed?