Children living with relatives increased 51% between 2000 and 2010. In 2010, 1700 children were placed with relatives after being removed from their parents. The most recent census tells us that number is not going down. Being placed with Kin/relatives vs. foster care has a number of benefits:
- Minimizes trauma
- Increased permanency
- Better overall well being
- Preserves cultural and community identity
- Promotes lasting connections
Children’s Service Society of Utah (CSS) is an organization that empowers families and caregivers through services that support the safety and well-being of children. Grandfamilies is a support, advocacy, educational and crisis intervention program of the Children’s Service Society. The program was created in 2002 to meet the growing needs of individuals and/or families that are caring for a relative’s child. Our focus is to provide information and support to these families so that the needs of safety and permanency for the children in these families can be met.
Their services include:
- Crisis intervention
- Adult educational support groups
- Children’s support groups
- Links to community resources
- Drug and alcohol prevention services for children
To learn more about the Grandfamilies program, click here
Utah Foster Care also has resources for Kinship Families.
2022 Kinship Town Hall
Topic: The impact of trauma in kinship families
Date: Tuesday Sept 20th
Time: 5:00-7:00PM
Location: Children’s Service Society of Utah, 655 E 4500 S, ste 200, SLC, 84107
