Finding kin

About this topic

Children in care do better when they’re placed with family members or other adults they know and trust. But identifying and connecting with extended family members can be a challenge for foster care programs.

Child welfare systems who have adopted the practices listed on this page are able to place children with relatives more than 80% of the time.

Track adoption of these practices on the progress dashboard.

Why this matters

Children can’t have too many adults who care about them. A strong support system of adults supports young people’s resiliency and long term health and well-being.

But most youth enter foster care with more connections than they leave with.