A Qualitative Research Study of Kinship Diversion Practices.

This brief explores the practice of “kinship diversion,” in which children are placed with relatives as an alternative to foster care. Also referred to as informal or voluntary kinship care or safety plans, its use varies across the country. In this brief we present findings from an in-depth review of kinship diversion in one state. Interviews and focus groups revealed common themes among agency caseworkers, kinship caregivers, and court personnel around the reasons for using kinship diversion, the continued support needed for kinship caregivers, and the varied factors that influence kinship diversion practices. (Author abstract)