APPENDIX B:
THE CALIFORNIA POLICY SUMMIT
ON KINSHIP CARE

The California Policy Summit on Kinship Care was held in Concord, California on February 28 and 29, 1996 to consider a number of issues concerning this rapidly growing part of the child welfare system. It was sponsored by the California Department of Social Services and the County Welfare Directors Association, and brought together public organizations and individuals involved in Kinship care, along with researchers and representatives of foundations that were studying these issues. The purpose was to make recommendations to the legislature and the State Dependency System.

For the purpose of this Policy Summit the following definition of relative was used.

"Relative" is defined as an adult who is related to the minor by blood or affinity, including all relatives whose status is preceded by the words "step", "great", "great-great", or "grand". This is the definition in the California Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 319(d)

Statistics:

Dr. Jill Duerr Berrick, Director, Child Welfare Research Center, University of California, Berkeley presented results of her research. All figures are from 1988 to 1993.⁽¹⁷¹⁾

In 1993, 48.2% of children in kinship care were African American, 26.1% were Caucasian and 23.8% were Hispanic. Infants placed in non-kin care were far more likely to be adopted after four years (24% in non-kinship care vs. 6% in kinship care). Children still in foster care after four years with kinship care as their primary placement had significantly more stable placement experiences than those placed initially in foster family homes.

Issues:

1. Funding: Of the 44,000 children in Kinship care in January, 1996, approximately 20,000 received AFDC payments and 24,000 received foster care payments.

For the children who met federal eligibility requirements at the time of removal from the home, foster care payment levels were $345 to $484 per month, per child. Other benefits include health and dental care, a specialized care increment for special needs, infant supplements, a clothing allowance and Independent Living Program services for those approaching 18 years of age. Those on AFDC may not receive the clothing allowance, specialized care increment for special needs or infant supplements.

Dr. Berrick's research shows children residing in kinship homes receiving foster care funding are more likely to still be in foster care after four years than children living in kinship homes where the only assistance is at the AFDC rate. Reunification is much lower: 47% for children in kinship homes receiving foster care funds; 62% for children receiving the equivalent of welfare payments.

2. Significant barriers exist for kin to consider adoption. Relatives feel it is not necessary as the child is already a member of the family. Families of color (largest group in kinship care) may be especially unlikely to consider adoption. Workers suggest this may be due to financial considerations, loyalty to or rejection of child's birth parents. Cultural views about "family" may also influence this decision.

While guardianship is considered a possible alternative for those unwilling to adopt, funding is a primary barrier. Federal funds for foster care have not been available to subsidize guardianship by relatives and are lost upon family reunification. Long term foster care is the most frequently relied upon permanency option.

Immediately following the Policy Summit, two work groups were formed to determine actions needed to implement Policy Summit recommendations in two areas, Assessment and Permanency Options. Led by staff from the California Partnership for Children, the County Welfare Directors Association and the California Department of Social services, these groups represented a wide variety of organizations and opinions.

Accomplishments of the Work Groups To Date:

1. Developed basic criteria for the assessment of relatives homes. These criteria were a part of AB 1554 (Aroner). The bill also requires that more detailed assessment guidelines be developed by January 1999 and that work is progressing.

2. Developed the parameters for a new permanency option of "Kinship Adoption", including legislative language. This was also included in AB 1554 (Aroner)..

3. Completed the outline of another permanency option called "Kinship Guardianship" introduced as SB 1901 (McPhearson) in the 1998 session of the California Legislature..

AB 1544 (Aroner) (Chapter 793, Statutes of 1997) requires minimum statewide standards for assessing kin homes for both emergency and post emergency placement, develop model guidelines for local practice standards for removal of children from kin homes, and develop a new permanency option of "kin adoption". This law also requires the court to order the parent(s) to reveal all relatives of the child and to notify them of their right to be assessed as a possible caregiver for the child. This met most of the stage one goals and some of the over half of the stage two goals set by the Summit. Another stage two goal, to develop and fund post permanency support services, was reached with the passage of AB 1193 ( Shelly) Chapter 794, Statutes of 1997. It went into effect January 1, 1998.

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