KINSHIP CARE STORY

By Jior CameronSeattle Medium Kinship care is a newly recognizable type of care defined by the Child Welfare League of America as, “the full time care, nurturing and protection of children by relatives, members of their tribes or clans, godparents, stepparents, or any adult who has a kinship bond with a child.” Kinship care is not a new phenomenon. It has been taking place informally for years. Throughout history many grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts and uncles and other kin have played the role of a parent to a relative’s child or children. Today, both formal and informal kinship care are growing. The 2000 Census reported that 86,000 children in Washington State live in households with grandparents and other relatives. Nationwide there are 2.2 million children living in these same arrangements–a 58% increase from 1990. Kinship care can provide many positive outcomes, and because of this child welfare agencies across the country are advocating for kinship care. According to the Welfare Information Network, “Child welfare agencies increasingly are turning to kinship care for children in need of out-of-home placements. Kinship care also is increasing outside the formal child welfare system. Kinship care can be an effective alternative to foster care, providing numerous benefits for the child and family and reducing the growing need for foster care and adoptive homes.” According to last week’s article in the Medium on foster care, many African American children have a more complicated time in the traditional foster care system. African American children have a more difficult time getting placed in out-of-home care and remaining in these placements than Whites and children of color. Kinship care allows many children who would otherwise be placed in out-of-home care with a foster family to be placed with someone related to them. Generally, a placement with kin allows an easier transition, a connection to birth parents and families, and added stability, among other positives–mainly because they are being cared for by people they are familiar with. A real-life example of kinship care that exemplifies the positives of this type of guardianship is the story of Susan Adams*. Adams, a mechanic for Boeing and biological mother of two children (ages 25 and 30), is the legal guardian of two teenage girls (ages 15 and 18). 15-year-old Michelle* is a friend of the family who Adams has had custody of since birth. 18-year-old Kelly* is Adams’ second cousin. Kelly was initially raised by Adams’ mother until she was 9-years-old. When Adams’ mother passed away, Adams took over custody of the child. Adams explained the circumstances of each child’s arrival into her care. “I knew the mother of [Michelle]. I knew her history and what she was doing, and knew that [the state] wouldn’t let her keep the baby because the state took the others (children) away. So I took her. I have had kids coming through my house since I can remember. So it was no big deal for me [to take Michelle in],” recalled Adams. “[Kelly’s mother] dropped Kelly off to my mother to baby sit and never came back. My mother raised her until she was 9-years-old. When my mother passed I didn’t feel that Kelly should’ve had to get used to another completely different family, so I had her come live with me,” Adams continued. As the number of children in kinship care increases, the documented benefits of it are also on the rise. Child welfare agencies are beginning to document the success of kinship care in hopes of expanding the kinship care provider network and securing funding for it. Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) notes the positives of kinship care in relation to traditional foster care. “Children in kinship care experience fewer placement changes, stronger connections to family and are less likely to re-enter care compared with children in non-kinship out-of-home care.” Adams’ story clearly illustrates the positives aspects of kinship care. Both Michelle and Kelly are doing well, and are thriving under her tutelage. Michelle is coming up on a very historic mark. She is one of ten children born to her biological family–and she will be the first of her siblings to graduate from high-school. Adams believes part of the reason her children, Michelle and Kelly, are excelling with her is because she treats them like her own. “I take care of my kids. Blood doesn’t matter to me because I don’t believe in treating kids differently. I’m going to treat you the same [as I would treat my biological kids]. I’m going to talk to you the same. Sometimes I feel that I treat [Michelle and Kelly] a little better than I treated my [biological] kids because I am in a better position (work-wise) in my life. I have more time to enjoy them and to spend with them,” said Adams. Adams has had, and continues to have, great experiences as caregiver for Michelle and Kelly. But, she has concerns with some of the stipulations of the child welfare bureaucracy. Like the traditional child welfare/adoption system, there are limitations and guidelines that the system insists upon for kinship care as well–limitations and guidelines Adams doesn’t necessarily agree with. “I feel they’ve (child welfare system) done good by me. But some things I have issues with. Some things they expect you not to have for foster kids. I had a pool and a trampoline for other kids that come by my house and [they had a problem with that],” said Adams. “I feel like I should be able to have what I want to have in my house.” Despite her issues with some of the rules and regulations of the child welfare system, Adams is well on her way to raising another pair of successful children. In addition to treating Michelle and Kelly like her own biological children, Adams believes the girls are successful because she teaches them–just as she would any other child. “I teach them lessons about life. I teach them to save for things they want. I teach them what my grandfather told me, ‘what you do in the dark comes to light.’ I teach my girls to be well educated, to know their strengths, and to stand up for themselves,” remarked Adams. Adams makes sure the girls stay not only well-rounded in character, but emotionally well-rounded as well. When possible, the girls have contact with their biological families because Adams feels that knowing ones family history is important. “I’ve seen it too many times when children ask, ‘How come my parents didn’t keep me?’ So, I always want the girls to know were they come from, so they know were they need to go,” said Adams. Adams’ life has been enlightened by the additions of Michelle and Kelly. She notes that taking care of them “keeps her going,” keeps her young and active, and has taught her patience. Michelle also speaks of the benefits of living with Adams. “[Susan] has taught me right from wrong, how to walk away from things, and what to do in a bad situation. [In education] she’s taught me to try my hardest and to not give up. [In general] my life has been great living with her. If I was with my parents I probably wouldn’t be how I am now,” she remarked. When asked how she thinks the girls would’ve faired in the adoption system with a family not kin to them, Adams says, “I really can’t speak to that because I don’t know what would’ve happened [in that case]. I do know that I am happy that I could keep the girls in one environment with all of my family. They know them all. My parents and all my relatives are all their relatives. To me that’s a blessing.” *EDITOR’S NOTE: The names of the persons in this story have been changed to protect the identity of the family.