Terminology Check
Low-income families often utilize outside family, friend and neighbor care, which Casey defines as residence-based care — both regulated and unregulated.
This issue of Casey Connects summarizes findings from the 2006 KIDS COUNT Data Book and essay. More specifically: It tells what we should do — and what select programs are already doing — to help improve the quality of family, friend and neighbor care across America. Smaller stories include a nod to Casey Family Services turning 30, a former foster care youth’s perspective on the importance of mentors, and a 5-item resource corner.
Roughly 6.5 million American children will spend their earliest years in family, friend and neighbor care. It’s a caregiver group that’s often undervalued and under-supported, yet unequivocally central to achieving better outcomes for some of our nation’s most vulnerable children.