Family Services Division (FSD)
% of children in custody living in kinship foster care
Current Value
34%
Definition
Story Behind the Curve
Children in DCF custody are placed with relative or other known connections (known as kinship foster homes) whenever possible. To become licensed, kin must go through the same licensing process as other foster parents. This includes passing background checks and attending specialized training.
Action Plan
Why Is This Important?
Research shows that compared to being placed in non-related foster homes, children in kinship foster homes typically experience:
- Better behavioral development
- Better mental health functioning
- Better placement stability
- Closer ties with their birth parents and siblings
- Similar reunification rates
Clear Impact Suite is an easy-to-use, web-based software platform that helps your staff collaborate with external stakeholders and community partners by utilizing the combination of data collection, performance reporting, and program planning.