Formal and Informal Kinship Care

Formal and Informal Kinship Care provide children with stability by placing them with relatives or close family friends, either through official child welfare systems or private family arrangements.

Kinship care, or placement with family members or close friends, can give children stability, love, and a sense of belonging when they are unable to safely stay with their biological parents. But not every arrangement for familial care is the same. Anyone interested in the safety of vulnerable children, including carers and child welfare experts, must comprehend the distinction between formal and informal kinship care.

What Is Kinship Care?

Kinship care is when a child is raised by relatives or close family friends instead of their biological parents. This care model is often preferred over non-relative foster care because it helps preserve a child’s cultural identity, maintain family bonds, and reduce trauma during separation from parents.

Kinship care can take two primary forms: formal and informal. Both have their own legal, financial, and social implications.

What Is Formal Kinship Care?

Formal kinship care occurs when a child welfare agency is involved in the placement of a child with a relative. This usually happens after a court determines that it is unsafe for the child to remain with their parents. The relative caregiver is approved or licensed by the state, and the placement is part of the official foster care system.

Key Features of Formal Kinship Care:

• Court involvement: The child is placed with relatives by a judge’s order.
• Oversight: The state or local child welfare agency monitors the placement.
• Financial support: Caregivers may receive foster care payments, Medicaid for the child, and other assistance.
• Access to services: Families may receive support services such as counseling, parenting classes, and respite care.

Formal kinship care ensures children are protected under legal safeguards and gives caregivers access to resources that help support the child’s physical and emotional needs.

What Is Informal Kinship Care?

Informal kinship care happens without court or child welfare agency involvement. In these cases, parents voluntarily place their child with a relative—often due to illness, incarceration, addiction, military deployment, or financial hardship.

Key Features of Informal Kinship Care:

• No court order: The arrangement is made privately between parents and relatives.
• Limited oversight: There is typically no government supervision.
• Limited financial support: Caregivers may not receive formal foster care payments or access to public benefits.
• Legal authority: Relatives may have difficulty enrolling children in school or accessing healthcare without legal custody or guardianship.

Though informal kinship care allows families to make decisions without government intervention, it often places a financial and emotional burden on caregivers who may not have access to the same resources available through formal systems.

Why the Distinction Matters

Understanding whether a kinship arrangement is formal or informal can impact a child’s:

• Access to healthcare and education
• Eligibility for government assistance
• Legal stability and permanency
• Emotional and behavioral support

It also affects caregivers’ ability to make decisions for the child and obtain the help they may need to provide long-term care.

Whether formal or informal, kinship care plays a vital role in the child welfare system. Both models aim to keep children connected to their roots, but they differ greatly in terms of legal protection, financial support, and service access.

For families considering or currently providing kinship care, understanding these differences can help you advocate for the child in your care and seek out the resources that best fit your situation.

If you’re a kinship caregiver and unsure what kind of support you might qualify for, reach out to your local child welfare agency or a family law professional to explore your options.

FAQs on Formal vs. Informal Kinship Care

1. What is the main difference between formal and informal kinship care?

• Formal kinship care involves the child being placed with a relative through the court system, with oversight from child welfare agencies and potential financial support.
• Informal kinship care happens privately without court involvement or government supervision, typically initiated by parents due to personal circumstances.

2. Can I receive financial assistance in informal kinship care?

• Generally, no. Informal kinship caregivers do not receive the same foster care payments or financial assistance as formal kinship caregivers. However, in some cases, they may qualify for other forms of government support depending on their state or local programs.

3. What kind of legal rights do informal kinship caregivers have?

• Informal caregivers typically have fewer legal rights. Without court orders or legal custody, they may face challenges when enrolling children in school, making medical decisions, or accessing healthcare for the child.

4. Can an informal kinship caregiver become a formal caregiver?

• Yes. If the child’s situation changes or the biological parents’ issues escalate, informal caregivers can petition the court to formalize the arrangement and obtain legal custody or guardianship.

5. How do I know if formal kinship care is right for me?

• If the child is removed from the biological parents’ custody due to safety concerns or neglect, formal kinship care is likely necessary. It provides legal protection for the child and caregiver and ensures access to state resources and support services.

6. Can informal kinship care be a permanent arrangement?

• It can be permanent if both the biological parents and caregivers agree, but without a formal legal agreement, informal kinship care is not guaranteed to be long-term. It’s advisable to seek legal advice if you want to ensure permanency.

7. Are there any support services available for formal kinship caregivers?

• Yes. Formal kinship caregivers often have access to resources like counseling, legal aid, parenting classes, and respite care, as well as financial assistance through the state or foster care programs.

8. What happens if a child in informal kinship care needs medical attention or counseling?

• Without formal guardianship, informal caregivers might face challenges in making medical or educational decisions. To gain these rights, they may need to seek legal custody or guardianship.

9. Do children in formal kinship care have access to the same services as foster children?

• Yes, children in formal kinship care are typically eligible for the same services as other foster children, such as healthcare, educational support, and financial assistance.

10. How do I apply for formal kinship care?

• To apply for formal kinship care, you must go through your local child welfare agency, and the process typically involves a home study and court hearings to determine if you can provide a safe and stable environment for the child.