A Typology Of Kinship Foster Families: Latent Class and Exploratory Analyses of Kinship Family Structure and Household Composition

Much of the law and policy encouraging the use of kinship foster families as a placement resource rests on the implicit assumption that kinship foster families constitute a homogeneous population—that is, that they are very much alike. However, findings of studies of different child welfare jurisdictions suggest that the kinship family population is not, in fact, homogeneous. Nevertheless, few—if any—published studies have attempted to differentiate kinship foster families based on family characteristics or foster child outcomes.

In order to address the gap in understanding and to define the various types of kinship foster families, this study sought to characterize the differences among the families along two related dimensions that are correlated to a range of child outcomes: family structure and household composition.

Using data from a Web-based survey of public and private agency caseworkers, the researchers developed a typology of kinship foster families. Their studies show that although kinship families may be different in important ways from non-kinship families, kinship families are not all alike. There are differences in family attributes and circumstances that may exist and as a result may lead to very different outcomes for children.

Read the report, titled "A Typology of Kinship Foster Families: Latent Class and Exploratory Analyses of Kinship Family Structure and Household Composition"

See also: “Inside the Research: What Are the Important Differences Among Kinship Foster Families?”
 

Children and Youth Services Review