Shifting Kinship Caregiver Demographics and the Impact on Kinship-Related Services: Perspectives from Kinship Care Staff

Kinship care placements are a widely used resource, even outside the dependency system. Nearly three percent of all children in the United States will reside with a kinship caregiver at some point during their childhood. Within the child welfare system, more than one-third of all children placed in out of home care have a kinship placement. Kinship navigator programs were designed to support kinship caregivers, typically grandparents, providing information, education, and referrals to support and stabilize the family. The purpose of this qualitative study, which was part of a larger evaluation of a Kinship Navigator Program (KNP) within the Southeastern United States was to explore emerging themes regarding shifting demographics among kinship caregivers. Non-grandparent kin stepping into kinship caregiving roles and grandparent caregivers who are younger and still in the workforce have increased recently, resulting in a need to balance work and manage multiple roles within the household. The aim of the current study sought to explore these perceived shifts seeking answers related to the perceptions of kinship staff on kinship caregivers’ participation in the program; barriers completing services; and the utilization of support group by kinship caregivers over time. Methods: Using convenience sampling, nine kinship staff were interviewed across three waves (n = 21) as part of a larger evaluation of a kinship navigator program (KNP) in a southeast region of the United States. Semi-structured interview guides addressed these questions: (1) length of time working in the KNP within the agency, (2) length of time working with kinship care families, (3) opinions of the KNP including enrollment procedures, effectiveness, and staffing changes, and (4) anything else not already covered. Interviews were conducted via Zoom, lasted one hour, and were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using an a priori deductive approach and codes and patterns were grouped to provide interpretations reflective of the voice of staff using NVivo. Findings: Shifting demographics of kinship caregivers was a key finding with staff noting that kinship caregivers were younger and still working, impacting the utility of support group as a resource. Staff noted that grandparents, particularly those retired, had flexibility to attend support groups; however, kinship caregivers who are younger and still working were less likely to use support group among other services. Kinship staff noted that younger caregivers are not as far removed from parenting, therefore, engaging in services may not be a priority as they juggled multiple roles with busier schedules. Discussion: These findings suggest improved service utility and delivery are needed related to the shifting needs of kinship caregivers. Next steps should include surveying kinship caregivers to better assess changing demographics and identify first-person perspectives regarding service utilization and gaps in service delivery. Kinship navigator programs are essential to effective kinship care thus continuing to examine kinship navigator programs and the usefulness of services within these programs remains critical to ensure optimal and beneficial programs for the entire kinship family.