San Diego County said it offers a range of services to help relatives who take in children when parents cannot care for them; the county said about half of children in its out-of-home care live with kin, and the announcement coincided with National Kinship Care Month.

County Child and Family Well Being said its supports include case management, mentoring, training, education and childcare; the office said the services are meant to help kin families provide stable, safe homes where children can thrive.

The county said kin placements are preferred because they keep children connected to family, traditions and culture; it added that kin care often begins suddenly and relatives may lack resources, especially for children with medical or developmental needs.

The county included a local example, saying one grandparent credited the supports with helping her care for her granddaughter.

Kinship caregivers who need help can connect with County Child and Family Well Being for the supports the county described; the county published the summary on its News Center as part of its National Kinship Care Month materials.

Sources & methodology

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County of San Diego

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