Kinship placements can arise when parents face challenges such as illness, financial struggles, substance use, or other hardships and are unable to care for their children for a time. Instead of children entering a foster home, kinship care provides children with the opportunity to remain connected to their family, culture, and community while their parents work toward stability.
At CK Family Services, we are proud to support kinship families every step of the way, including offering verification through the state of Texas, which can increase resources for the kinship providers. Our Kinship Navigator and team provide the training and guidance to help these caregivers benefit from available services through the child welfare system to meet the unique needs of the children in their care.
Last week, the North Texas Foster Care Consortium held its quarterly meeting, bringing together advocates and partners from across the community. The panel discussion on Navigating Kinship Care was especially meaningful and included two CK Family Services parents, Meredith M. and Lisa D., sharing heartfelt insights from their experiences to educate and encourage others. Representatives from several organizations attended, including a member of State Senator Royce West’s office, making it an excellent and impactful event for everyone involved.
Becoming a Verified Kinship Provider
Prospective or current kinship caregivers can pursue foster home verification if they are interested in supporting a child in care who is placed in their home, regardless of the child's permanency plan.
To remove many of the barriers kinship caregivers have to address while going through the verification process, Health and Human Services developed separate kinship standards specifically for kinship caregivers. These separate standards allow kinship caregivers to become verified more easily while focusing on the child's safety and well-being.
Becoming a verified foster home provides additional financial assistance while caring for a child. However, foster care placements are meant to be a temporary arrangement until the permanency plan can be achieved for the child.
Click here to learn more about becoming a verified kinship provider: APPLY FOR VERIFICATION
Services for Non-Verified Kinship Providers
In some cases, the legal status of a case may not allow a kinship caregiver to become verified through the state. While this can limit access to certain supports, it does not mean families are without resources.
Many non-verified kinship families may still qualify for services such as Medicaid for the child, educational support through their school, and community-based resources designed to help meet the child’s basic and emotional needs. Local organizations and state programs may also provide guidance, financial assistance, or connections to additional support systems depending on the family’s situation.
One important area of support available to many of these families is mental and behavioral health services. At CK Family Services, our Children’s Mental and Behavioral Health (CMBH) Program offers skills training and support to help children build emotional regulation, improve communication, and navigate challenges at home and in school. These services are often covered for eligible children and can provide meaningful support for both the child and caregiver, especially during times of transition or stress.
Even without verification, caregivers are not alone. Accessing available resources and support services can make a significant difference in helping both the child and the family find stability and move forward with confidence.
Click here to learn more about our CMBH Program or to refer a child: CMBH
Kinship Resources
If you are caring for a child as a relative or close family friend, these kinship resources may be helpful.
Kinship Care Guide: Written by the Texas Legal Services Center, it explains how a caregiver’s legal status affects the decisions they can make for a child, as well as what resources and services may be available.
TACFS: Texas Alliance of Children and Family Services provides additional information about Kinship resources.
Education and Resources by geographical area: Kinship Resources
Any kinship caregivers may have access to the resources on this site. Even though they are based in San Antonio, they can assist individuals anywhere in Texas: TEXAS GRANDPARENTS RAISING CHILDREN
