State implementation of the fostering connections to success and increasing adoptions act: Exploratory study on kinship care

Abstract

Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (FC Act) has been in place for over 10 years. However, children in kinship care continue to receive fewer benefits, supports, and access to resources due to challenges with fully integrating kinship care into the child welfare system. The current study explored the state implementation of the FC Act with a focus on kinship care. Representatives from 15 states across the U.S. completed an online survey focused on their state’s response to the FC Act, and 14 participated in a follow-up survey on their states’ plan for kinship navigator programs with the passage of the Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018 (FFPSA). The findings show that the most common change after the FC Act was observed in the Act’s mandatory requirement to identify and search for kinship caregivers. States were less likely to implement non-mandated services or programs despite their potential benefits. In response to the FFPSA, states were looking for opportunities to learn from other states implementing kinship navigator programs. More support and oversight from the federal government are needed to promote successful policy implementation at the state level. In addition, social work practitioners need to be aware of programs and legislation on kinship care in order to advocate for and ensure the well-being of children and caregivers who provide kinship care.