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Kin as Teachers: An early childhood education and support intervention for kinship families

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  • Littlewood, Kerry A.
  • Strozier, Anne L.
  • Whittington, Danielle

Abstract

Whereas child welfare has championed efforts in kinship care practice, policy, and research, there is a growing need for other systems of care, specifically early childhood education, to improve the ways in which kinship care families are supported. This study highlights outcomes from the Kin As Teachers (KAT) Program, an early childhood education program specifically designed for children living with a grandparent or other relative. KAT addresses the areas of parent knowledge and parenting practices, detection of developmental delays and health issues, prevention of child abuse and neglect, and promotion of school readiness and success. Current issues facing kinship families with young children are highlighted using quantitative data and case studies based on 83 grandparents and other relatives providing care for 185 children. Pre and post tests show results on age appropriate family environment and the caregivers' knowledge of child development. Two case studies describing the familial experience in KAT detail the process evaluation related to this intervention. Results indicate improved age appropriate family environment and an increase in caregivers' knowledge of child development for families participating in KAT. Implications for social work practice include suggestions for ways social workers and early childhood educators can better support kinship caregiving families.

Suggested Citation

  • Littlewood, Kerry A. & Strozier, Anne L. & Whittington, Danielle, 2014. "Kin as Teachers: An early childhood education and support intervention for kinship families," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 1-9.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:38:y:2014:i:c:p:1-9
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.11.026
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Strozier, Anne & McGrew, LaSandra & Krisman, Kerry & Smith, Aaron, 2005. "Kinship care connection: A school-based intervention for kinship caregivers and the children in their care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(9), pages 1011-1029, September.
    2. Cuddeback, Gary S., 2004. "Kinship family foster care: a methodological and substantive synthesis of research," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(7), pages 623-639, July.
    3. Harden, Brenda Jones & Clyman, Robert B. & Kriebel, Dawn K. & Lyons, Mary E., 2004. "Kith and kin care: parental attitudes and resources of foster and relative caregivers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(7), pages 657-671, July.
    4. Cohen, A.K. & Syme, S.L., 2013. "Education: A missed opportunity for public health intervention," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(6), pages 997-1001.
    5. Lewis, Robert E. & Fraser, Mark, 1987. "Blending informal and formal helping networks in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 9(3), pages 153-169.
    6. Berrick, Jill Duerr & Barth, Richard P. & Needell, Barbara, 1994. "A comparison of kinship foster homes and foster family homes: Implications for kinship foster care as family preservation," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 16(1-2), pages 33-63.
    7. Strozier, Anne L., 2012. "The effectiveness of support groups in increasing social support for kinship caregivers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(5), pages 876-881.
    8. Iglehart, Alfreda P., 1994. "Kinship foster care: Placement, service, and outcome issues," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 16(1-2), pages 107-122.
    9. Keller, Thomas E. & Wetherbee, Kathleen & Le Prohn, Nicole S. & Payne, Vincent & Sim, Kelly & Lamont, Elena R., 2001. "Competencies and problem behaviors of children in family foster care: variations by kinship placement status and race," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(12), pages 915-940, December.
    10. Strozier, Anne L. & Krisman, Kerry, 2007. "Capturing caregiver data: An examination of kinship care custodial arrangements," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(2), pages 226-246, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lee, Eunju & Choi, Mi Jin & Clarkson-Henderix, Michael, 2016. "Examining needs of informal kinship families: Validating the family needs scale," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 97-104.
    2. Nuria Fuentes-Peláez & Pere Amorós & Crescencia Pastor & María Cruz Molina & Maribel Mateo, 2014. "Assessment in Kinship Foster Care: A New Tool to Evaluate the Strengths and Weaknesses," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 4(1), pages 1-17, December.

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