Kinship Interactive Training
Basis is partnering with Creating a Family to develop an interactive curriculum to train and support kinship caregivers. Through a multi-dimensional, longitudinal study, our hope is to figure out how we can best support caregivers in navigating the deeply personal, infinitely impactful, and unquestionably complex kinship process.
Why our Evaluation Matters
Successful kinship makes all the difference. Research shows that children placed with kin experience better outcomes, including increased safety and well-being. These children experience fewer placement disruptions, higher rates of permanency, and reduced risk of re-entry into foster care.
Yet, kinship caregivers often receive less support than non-kinship givers, demonstrating a huge missed opportunity for children in foster care to maintain family connections and preserve ties to their communities and cultures.
Creating a Family’s KITS (Kinship Interactive Training/Support curriculum) is the first of its kind, equipping kinship caregivers with skills and knowledge necessary to understand trauma, manage behaviors, and navigate parental relationships.
What's Next?
We are currently in the early stages of this project, focusing on evaluating the existing curriculum. In the future, we’ll:
- Work to implement the KITS curriculum identifying core strengths and weaknesses
- Collect data on the impact KITS training has on kinship caregivers
- Compile data and strategies for optimizing the curriculum.
Shaping Foster Care
Kinship is regarded as one of the best options for children entering the foster care system, but support systems for kinship remain scarce.
By administering the KITS curriculum, Creating a Family is able to shape lives and change futures for children and their families through an accessible, ten-hour curriculum.