Kinship Caregiver Characteristics: Studying the Impact on Service Provision

Background and Purpose: Kinship care placements have gained popularity with more than one-third of out-of-home placements being kinship care due to the advantages relative caregivers provide for children—e.g., less trauma among children after removal, improved behavioral and mental health outcomes and overall wellbeing among children, and increased rates of permanency—i.e., fewer transitions for children. Children placed in kinship care homes have better educational and employment outcomes and fewer instances of homelessness and incarceration compared to children placed in foster care homes. While kinship care placements are advantageous for children, the caregivers, particularly grandparents, report increased stress and decreased socialization when assuming the role of primary caregiver. Kinship navigator programs assist kinship caregivers with navigating complex systems to ensure these caregivers receive adequate support services to maintain the stability of the kinship placement while also improving outcomes for the kinship caregiver. The kinship navigator model was developed based on the “grandparents raising grandchildren” mantra; however, recently there has been an increase in aunts, uncles, and adult siblings who have stepped into these kinship caregiving roles. Current Study: Given the recent changes in role type, this study examined the characteristics of kinship caregivers to determine: (1) What are the current kinship caregiver demographics within Michigan? (2) What percentage of kinship caregivers’ access and utilize services? (3) What percentage of service needs are unmet among kinship caregivers? Methods: Utilizing a cross-sectional survey design focused on kinship caregivers in the state of Michigan, this study employed a convenience sampling design, reaching out to contacts at two prominent kinship care resources in the state to recruit kinship caregivers who are currently caring for children and are at least 18 years old. The final sample included 440 kinship caregivers across the state of Michigan. Results: The current characteristics of kinship caregivers in Michigan based on this sample, include a mean age of nearly 44 years old, with 11% being 60 or older. The majority of kinship caregivers (85%) reported being currently employed, with 93% working 30 hours or more per week. Kinship caregivers in this sample are primarily raising a niece or nephew (58%), while 38% reported raising their grandchild. Nearly 97% of kinship caregivers reported being married, with 60% reported being male and 57% reported being White. There was a diverse number of kinship caregivers with 30% reported being Black and nearly 12% reported being Asian, Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific Islander. Almost three-fourths of the sample reported incomes at or below $100,000 annually (72%) and 73% reported at least some college. In this sample 52% of kinship caregivers reported that they were currently receiving services; however, of the 48% that were not receiving services 55% indicated needing services but were unable to access services with 66% needing two or more services. Conclusion and Implications: These findings suggest service utility and delivery improvements are needed for kinship caregivers. Kinship caregivers report needing services, which are necessary to providing effective kinship care. Continuing to explore service utilization and needs among kinship caregivers remains critical.