Kinship Care

"In this house it's mixed beginnings and love unending." - Unknown

Kinship care is defined as, “The full time nurturing and protection of children by kin. Kin are relatives or persons ascribed by the family as having a family-like relationship, or they may be individuals that have a prior significant relationship with the child or youth. These relationships take into account cultural values and continuity of significant relationships” as stated in C.R.S. 7.304.21.

Benefits of Kinship Care

Current research shows that children and youth who live with kin often benefit because they are more likely to:

  • Remain with their siblings
  • Report being happy
  • Stay in their own school
  • Maintain family cultural practices

Types of Kinship Care

Certified Kinship Foster Care

  • Must have an open child welfare case
  • The child’s caseworker MUST make a referral to the Collaborative Foster Care Program
  • The County Department of Human Services has custody of the child/youth
  • Eligible for foster care reimbursement
  • Must meet the same qualifications as a general foster family
  • Must complete all steps in the process to become certified (Information Night and Pre-Application are not required).

Non-Certified Kinship Care

  • Must have an open child welfare case
  • Kinship caregiver has custody of the child/youth.
  • Eligible for community support services (i.e. TANF, Medicaid)

Interstate Compact for Placement of Children (ICPC)

  • Must have an open child welfare case
  • The child is being placed in a home across state lines
  • The child's caseworker must submit a request to CO to start this process

Resources & Support

Visit the Colorado Kinship Connection for more kinship resources and make sure to take a look at the Navigation Guide.

For more information regarding certified kinship foster care, please contact Megan Dorsam.

For more information regarding ICPC, please contact the following caseworker in the county in which you reside: