Common Caregivers
Grandparents are the most frequent relatives (48%) providing care through diversion arrangements followed by aunts and uncles (17%), according to data from one state.
This brief, generated with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, shares insights and opinions on the use of kinship diversion as a preventative practice in child welfare. Its findings stem from four main sources: field work, stakeholder interviews, administrative data reviews and a digital survey tool.
Kinship Diversion — the practice of placing kids with relatives in lieu of foster care — is a common response to allegations of child abuse or neglect. Yet, few child welfare jurisdictions collect data on diversion, making it challenging to gauge its effectiveness or understand the experiences of the children involved.