Why Does Child Welfare Limit the Role Kin Can Play in Regard to their Relative’s Children?

Dr. Joseph Crumbley is known for his work identifying the challenges associated with being a kinship provider. It is because of these challenges that many kin are unwilling to assume the role of primary caregiver to the child(ren) of a relative. However there may be many ways kin can stay connected to provide relationship permanence to their relative’s children. During this session, Conversational Circles will be used to 1) identify ways grandparents, siblings and other relatives can provide support to family members involved in the child welfare system from intake to adoption and, 2) discuss strategies to assist families to advocate for relational permanence and the expanded roles of kin that would like to stay connected to the children of their relatives whether or not they assume the role of primary caregiver.