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 adult.
At Ampersand Families, we conduct relative search for youth in foster care through two programs.
Kin Link
The first program is called Kin Link. Through Kin Link, staff conduct relative search over a 30-day period. This service is offered to youth at the beginning of their involvement with child protective services and before a termination of parental rights or other permanent custody agreement. Kin Link Specialists create a “Family Tree” by utilizing information gathered from the youth’s worker, biological parents, government searches, social media, Ancestry, and other search engines. Additionally, Kin Link Specialists are authorized to conduct “investigative visits” where they attempt contact by visiting addresses found for relatives they are unable to contact over the phone.
Relative Search and Engagement
The second program is called Relative Search and Engagement Services (RSES). Through RSES, relative search is conducted over a 45-day period. RSES is for youth in foster care whose parents’ rights have been terminated. Through RSES, workers create family trees by utilizing information gathered from the youth’s worker, any supportive family members, government searches, social media, Ancestry, and other search engines. RSES workers exhaust any means of contact for relatives identified. This may include Facebook messages, text messages, phone calls, and emails. RSES workers also strive to connect any relatives they have identified to the youth’s entire team, to streamline the relative’s involvement in the youth’s life.
Dignity and Family Connections
Relative search is important because it helps keep relatives involved in a youth’s life, giving them the opportunity to step in and be there for youth as they grow older. Additionally, relative search can identify relatives and kin who may want to be a placement option or support for youth but are unaware that a child they know is in care. Relatives and kin can help youth maintain their family culture and community ties, and are often better equipped to help youth navigate the experience of being out of their parental home.
Relative search is a piece of child protection work that advocates for dignity and family connection for youth in foster care. We’re proud that Ampersand Families is offering this service to youth across Minnesota.
Tabetha Trantina is a Relative Search and Engagement Specialist at Ampersand Families.
