ABSTRACT
This chapter utilizes three terms: "kinship caregivers" who provide informal care for kin outside of the foster care system; "kinship foster parents," who provide care for children and are formally recognized by the child welfare system as foster parents; and "foster care," which is provided by nonkin. Rising numbers of kin placements have been ushered in by way of the courts. Kin were not commonly given the full responsibilities and reimbursements of foster parents. Kinship foster parents became involved with the social services agencies and courts regarding their selected child in a number of ways. Whether or not kin should be held to the same standards of quality is certainly a question, although it is also uncertain what steps social workers take in ensuring quality of care. There is also a growing tension regarding the rights of kin to receive standard foster parent services, versus kinship foster parents' responsibilities to provide a high standard of quality care for the children.
