What is kinship care?

Kinship care, or family caring for family, is a natural, out-of-home placement option for children that successfully meets their need for safety, permanency and well-being. 

Impact

Better Outcomes for Children

Children in care have already experienced the trauma of being removed from their homes and families. Placing them with strangers only compounds that trauma. Placing them in the homes of relatives or fictive kin reduces the chance for further trauma, while at the same time maintains their connection to their communities and cultures.

Model

A Value for Family

As the only agency in the country that exclusively delivers services to the entire kinship triad (child, caregiver and birth family), our approach is pure kinship. We provide strengths-based, trauma-informed, culturally competent kinship care services that support stability and continuity and maintain a child's cultural identity and contact with their birth family.

Values

What Is Important to Us?

As a nationally recognized leader in kinship care services, A Second Chance, Inc., is dedicated to upholding the highest professional standards. In the service of children, we respect the families and communities we serve, as well as our own staff. This has been a priority since our inception.

How We Have Helped


ASCI has served approximately 31,000 children, 10,000 kinship caregivers and 30,000 birth parents since its founding.

Reunification

70% of our children reach reunification within the first year of service.

70%

Education

98% of our youth graduate high school, compared to the national average of 50%.

98%

Adoption

78% of our children have closed to adoption.

78%
Children's Health
A Kinship Caregiver’s Guide to Caring for Diverse Hair Textures

Among the daily routines of meals, school adjustments, and bedtime, one aspect of care that may catch new caregivers off guard is caring for natural, curly, or coily hair textures….

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Family Health
Navigating the Family Reunification Process: A Guide for Relatives

Family reunification is the ultimate goal of the child welfare system, and it’s a milestone for your family. However, reunification can bring a mix of emotions. You may feel genuine…

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ASCI Youth
Transition Planning: Independent Living Resources for Kinship Youth

As a young person approaches adulthood, there’s a lot to prepare for, including school, work, money, housing, health care, and independent living. For youth who have experienced the child welfare…

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Birth Families
Affordable & Pro Bono Family Law Directory for Kinship Caregivers

Securing formal legal standing for the child in your care is one of the most powerful steps you can take to protect their future. Whether you need the authority to…

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