This publication summarizes state laws and statutes regarding placement of children with relatives when they are removed from their home and enter foster care. In order for states to receive federal payments for foster care and adoption assistance, federal law requires that they "consider giving preference to an adult relative over a nonrelated caregiver when determining placement for a child, provided that the relative caregiver meets all relevant state child protection standards." Most states give preference or priority to relative placements in their statutes. This publication discusses definitions of "relative," financial support for relative placement, and adoption by relatives.
The New Jersey Placement of Children With Relatives is a crucial part of child welfare services aiming to ensure the safety and well-being of children who cannot remain with their parents. This program focuses on placing children in the care of relatives or close family friends, also known as kinship caregivers, when they cannot be cared for by their birth parents due to abuse, neglect, or other reasons. One type of placement under the New Jersey Placement of Children With Relatives is known as kinship legal guardianship (KG). Kinship legal guardianship is a legal status granted to a relative or close family friend by the court, giving them the authority to care for a child who cannot safely return to their parents. The KG program offers support services, financial assistance, and resources to kinship caregivers, allowing them to provide a stable and nurturing environment for the child. Another type of placement is kinship foster care. Kinship foster care is when a child is placed with a relative or close family friend, known as a kinship foster parent, who is licensed by the state to provide temporary care. Kinship foster care ensures that the child remains connected to their family and familiar environment, reducing the trauma and disruption caused by separation from their birth parents. The New Jersey Placement of Children With Relatives program recognizes the importance of maintaining strong family connections for children in the child welfare system. Placing children with relatives or close family friends offers numerous advantages over traditional foster care, including minimizing the trauma of removal, maintaining cultural and biological ties, and providing a sense of stability and familiarity. By placing children with relatives, the program promotes the concept of permanency, aiming to find a stable long-term home for children who cannot return to their birth parents. The program assists kinship caregivers in navigating the legal process and accessing support services, such as counseling, financial assistance, and educational resources, to ensure the child's well-being and successful transition to their new family dynamic. Overall, the New Jersey Placement of Children With Relatives program is committed to placing children in the care of relatives or close family friends whenever possible to provide a supportive and nurturing environment. Through kinship legal guardianship and kinship foster care, children are given the opportunity to maintain family connections, grow up in a familiar setting, and thrive in the presence of loved ones, despite the challenges they may have faced in their early lives.
