Relative search is a service at Ampersand Families for youth in foster care who need placement and support. The goal of relative search is to identify relatives and attempt contact with them. Relative search involves identifying grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. as well as other individuals described as “kin.” Kin is any person in a youth’s life who has a significant relationship with them. This might include a coach, teacher, neighbor, or other caring Continue Reading
Relative/Kin topics
Kin Link – Connecting Kids in Care to Family
Restoring Belonging The pendulum is shifting in child welfare towards recognizing that given the information and tools, families can and will care for their own. The Kin Link team is on the front lines working to ensure kids stay connected to family, community, and culture every step of the way. Family Matters Our work with relatives/kin is guided by federal law through the Family First Prevention Services Act and Minnesota state statute, 260C.221, which give Continue Reading
Engaging Relatives and Kin Throughout the Welfare Process
Reaching for Healing, Equity, and Permanency Being separated from birth parents or caretakers via the child welfare system is a traumatic experience for children and youth. Too often, being placed in out of home care means that children lose their connection to everything that is familiar to them; their belongings, neighborhood, friends, school, siblings, family culture and traditions. Research shows that relative/kin placement, which means children living with Continue Reading
Parent Reunification as a Form of Permanency
A couple of years ago a 16 year old young man, was referred to us for child specific recruitment. He had been in foster care since the age of 9, and his parents’ rights were terminated when he was 11. Over those years, he moved between foster homes and group homes. From the records we have, we know that he moved more than 15 times, including several hospitalizations. When his county worker referred him to us, they noted “the youth is strongly opposed to adoption and Continue Reading
