Relative Kin Foster Parent Orientation
Welcome to the Relative Kin Foster Parent Orientation, presented by the Quality Parenting Initiative Minnesota (QPI-MN) Relative-Kin Action Workgroup.
This orientation is for individuals who are considering providing foster care for their relative’s child or children. The orientation contains six sections.
To access the videos below, please complete the short form at the bottom of the page.
- Starting Your Journey as a Relative Kin Foster Parent (15:46)
You have been asked to consider the important role of providing Relative Kin Foster Care to a child. This video will help you understand the primary reasons children may enter foster care, why they leave foster care and the benefits of providing Relative Kin Foster Care. You will also learn how to care for yourself during a difficult time of changing family dynamics.
- Roles of Team Members (11:00)
As a Relative Kin Foster Parent, you may have questions about your role, the role of birth parents, and the role of the professionals involved in your relative or kin’s case. In this section, you will learn more about the roles of the following individuals: Child Protection Worker, Guardian Ad Litem, Foster Care Licensing Worker, Foster Parent, and Birth Parent. You will also learn the titles of other professionals you may come into contact with such as Children’s Mental Health Worker, Child Services Social Worker, Therapist, Adoption Worker, Attorney, and Probation Officer.
- Foster Care Licensing (11:10)
This section clearly outlines the process of obtaining licensure and provides helpful tips for completing the process. Obtaining your foster care license will formalize your role as a Relative Kin Foster Parent and will provide you with important trainings that help you care for children and keep them safe.
- Trauma and Behaviors (14:10)
Children who have experienced trauma and toxic stress may have behaviors that are confusing or upsetting to caregivers. This section will help Relative Kin Foster Parents understand what is driving this behavior and how to respond.
- Helping Children Heal (13:01)
Healing children who have had traumatic experiences entails building healthy relationships, providing consistent, calming guidance and accepting children as they are while responding with empathy. In this section, you will also learn how to check your own responses to behaviors and disengage from power struggles and physical discipline.
- Relative Kin Voice (4:46)
In this final section, Relative Kin Foster Care Grandparent Crystal shares her experience getting licensed as a foster care provider and ultimately adopting her granddaughter. You’ll also learn tips and tools for success on this journey.
Our sincere thanks to The Brookdale Foundation for its generous support in making this programming possible.