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%
ASCI News
Leading Change: Dr. Sharon McDaniel Recognized as a Top 100 Disruptor

At A Second Chance Inc., we are honored to celebrate Dr. Sharon McDaniel, PhD, EdD, MPA, Founder, President, and CEO, for being recognized as a Top 100 Disruptor. This national…

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Family Fun
National Love Our Children Day & the Power of Kinship Care

Every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and deeply loved. On National Love Our Children Day, we’re reminded just how important that is. At A Second Chance, Inc., this day…

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Uncategorized
Celebrating the Heart of the Work: How ASCI Honored Its Staff in Pittsburgh & Philadelphia

At A Second Chance, Inc. (ASCI), the heart of the mission has always been its people. Every day, staff members show up with compassion, dedication, and a deep commitment to…

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Uncategorized
From Simulation to the Road: ASCI is Helping Youth Earn Their Driver’s License

Here at A Second Chance, Inc., we take pride in our young drivers and youth who desire to get their driver’s licenses and ensure the safety of those around them. We…

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