22.3 Kinship Assessment | CWS

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
Child Welfare Policy Manual

Chapter:

(22) Kinship

Policy Title:

Kinship Assessment

Policy Number:

22.3

Previous Policy Number(s):

5.6, 10.5

Effective Date:

November 2024

Manual Transmittal:

2024-08

Codes/References

O.C.G.A. § 15-11-133.1 Temporary Alternatives to Foster Care; Orders; Minimal Preliminary Assessments; Preliminary Protective Hearing; Time for Hearings

Requirements

The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) will:

Complete a Kinship Assessment to assess the suitability of a kinship caregiver (relative or fictive kin) to provide temporary care for a child(ren) and to assess the physical home environment for a:
1. Voluntary Kinship Arrangement:
  1. Prior to the child entering the kinship caregiver’s home.
  2. Within 72 hours of the child entering the kinship caregiver’s home when the arrangement was established in an emergency circumstance.
2. Temporary Alternative to Foster Care (TAFC):
  1. Prior to seeking a temporary alternative to foster care order from the court for a child to be cared for by a kinship caregiver.
  2. Within 72 hours of the court issuing a TAFC order mandating DFCS assess the home of the kinship caregiver(s). If the order is issued on a weekend, the assessment shall be completed within five calendar days of the order.
3. Temporary Custody to a Third Party or Guardianship (Child Protective Services (CPS) cases)
  1. Prior to seeking temporary custody to a third party or guardianship from the court for a child.
4. Foster Care Kinship Placement:
  Within 30 calendar days of the kinship caregiver’s request to be a placement resource; or
  
  Within 30 calendar days of the referral to a Comprehensive Child and Family Assessment (CCFA) provider to conduct the Kinship Assessment.
  
  See requirement below for completing an Abbreviated Kinship Assessment when an immediate foster care kinship placement is needed.
Engage and assess all kinship caregivers and their household members face-to-face in the home to determine if he/she can meet the needs of the child(ren).
Assess the physical home environment to confirm that it is safe and appropriate to meet the needs of each child, to include:
1. A walk through and examination of every room in the home. Also examine the exterior of the home, including the garage.
2. Sleeping arrangements for all household members. For additional information on assessing sleeping arrangements for children residing with kin caregivers see policy 22.6 Kinship: Waiver of Non-Safety Standards for Kinship Foster Homes.
3. Assessing and discussing infant safe sleep practices with all caregivers who have an infant (birth to 12 months of age) in the home and address any unsafe sleeping arrangements prior to leaving the home.
4. Discussing motor vehicle safety recommendations including hot car safety with caregivers (see policy 10.15 Foster Care: Child Safety Equipment and 14.1 Resource Development: Safety and Quality Standards).
Conduct safety screenings on kinship caregiver(s) and all adults residing in the kinship caregiver’s home.
Conduct a check of the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) database on each kinship caregiver and all adult residing in the kinship caregiver’s home.

GCIC checks are only required when completing a Kinship Assessment for a voluntary kinship arrangement or TAFC.
Conduct a check of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database utilizing electronic fingerprinting (Live Scan) on any prospective kinship caregiver and all adults residing in the kinship caregiver’s home.

NCIC checks are not required when completing a Kinship Assessment for a voluntary kinship arrangement or TAFC.

Conduct a drug screen on the primary and secondary kinship caregivers to support approval decision-making related to the care and/or placement of a child.

Drug screens are not required when completing a Kinship Assessment for a voluntary kinship arrangement or TAFC, unless there is reasonable suspicion of illegal drug use or prescription drug abuse.

Ensure a medical evaluation is completed on all adults residing in the home that includes a screening for Tuberculosis (TB) via blood or skin test.
1. The medical evaluation must be conducted and signed by a licensed physician, physician’s assistant, or public health department within 12 months of the approval date of the Kinship Assessment.
2. The primary and secondary caregiver (as applicable) medical evaluation results must be documented using the Prospective Foster or Adoptive Parent Medical Evaluation Report; and
3. Household members 18 years of age or older, other than the primary and secondary caregiver, medical evaluation results must be documented using the Additional Household Member Medical Evaluation Report.
Medical evaluations are not required when completing a Kinship Assessment for a voluntary kinship arrangement, TAFC, temporary custody to a third party or Guardianship.
Document the Kinship Assessment in Georgia SHINES, including uploading all supporting documents into External Documentation.

When the Kinship Assessment is conducted by the CCFA provider the SSCM shall enter the Kinship Assessment into Georgia SHINES.
Obtain final approval from the County Director/Designee of the Kinship Assessment, when the Kinship Assessment is for the placement of a child in foster care.

Complete an abbreviated Kinship Assessment to facilitate an immediate foster care placement with a kinship caregiver within 72 hours of a foster care kinship placement or DFCS being granted legal custody of a child, and the child will remain with the same kinship caregiver from the voluntary kinship arrangement.

Conduct safety screenings on any prospective kinship caregiver(s) and all adults residing in the home.
A check of the NCIC database utilizing electronic fingerprinting (Live Scan) on any prospective kinship caregiver and all adults residing in the home.
A home visit and face-to-face interview of each kinship caregiver and household members.
Assess the kinship caregiver’s physical home environment to determine if it is safe and appropriate to meet the needs of each child.
Review, provide and obtain each kinship caregiver signatures on the following documents:
1. The Caregiver Child Safety Agreement
2. Kinship Pathway
Document and obtain supervisor approval of the abbreviated Kinship Assessment in Georgia SHINES within 72 hours of the foster care kinship placement.
Complete the Kinship Assessment within 30 calendar days of the immediate foster care placement with the kinship caregiver.

It is necessary to only complete the components of an abbreviated Kinship Assessment not previously completed as part of the Kinship Assessment for a voluntary kinship arrangement, when DFCS has been granted legal custody of a child, and the child will remain with the same kinship caregiver. The abbreviated kinship assessment for immediate placement shall be completed by the legal county.

When the kinship caregiver(s) resides out-of-state, follow the procedures in policy 15.2 Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children: Placement of Georgia Children into Other States (Georgia as the Sending State).
Adhere to confidentiality and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in accordance with policy 2.5 Information Management: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and policy 2.6 Information Management: Confidentiality/Safeguarding Information.
Ensure that no prospective or existing caregiver is discriminated against or denied the opportunity to participate in the kinship programs, solely because of such individual’s disability (see policy 1.5 Administration: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/Section 504 and Reasonable Modifications).

Procedures

Social Services Case Manager

Contact the prospective kinship caregiver prior to conducting a home visit:
1. Explain DFCS’ obligation to maintain confidentiality and safeguard information to prevent unauthorized disclosure:
  1. Personal information provided during the completion of the Kinship Assessment or while serving as a kin caregiver will be kept confidential and used for the purpose of determining their suitability for the care of the child, unless otherwise permitted by law. See policy 2.6 Information Management: Confidentiality/Safeguarding Information.
  2. DFCS cannot share protected health information (PHI) with any person, agency or contractor without prior written authorization from the owner of the PHI, unless otherwise permitted by law. Provide a copy of the Notice of Privacy Practices and obtain signature(s). See policy 2.5 Information Management: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
2. Gather demographic (name, DOB, SSN, gender, marital status, all previous addresses (within the last five years) and contact information and for all household members; and
3. Schedule the home visit to complete the Kinship Assessment when all household members will be home or inform the kinship caregiver a CCFA provider will be in contact to schedule the home visit.
Enter the demographic and contact information for each household member in the Person Detail page in Georgia SHINES.
Conduct safety screenings on all prospective kinship caregivers and their adult (18 years or older) household members in accordance with policy 19.9 Case Management: Safety Screenings.
Conduct a check of the GCIC database on all prospective kinship caregivers and all adults residing in the home in accordance with policy 19.8 Case Management: Criminal Records Checks (CRC).

GCIC checks are only required when completing a Kinship Assessment for a voluntary kinship arrangement or TAFC.
Conduct a check of the NCIC database utilizing electronic fingerprinting (Live Scan) on all prospective kinship caregivers and all adults residing in the home in accordance with policy 19.8 Case Management: Criminal Records Checks (CRC).

NCIC checks are not required when completing a Kinship Assessment for a voluntary kinship arrangement or TAFC.
Conduct a home visit to engage and interview face-to-face all household members (kinship caregivers, other adults and children) to assess their protective capacities and the home environment:
1. Explain any court related requirements:
  1. The adherence to stipulations outlined in any orders issued by the court, including parent(s)/guardian/legal guardian(s) and child contact; and
  2. Any upcoming court hearings.
2. Discuss the out-of-home arrangement:
  1. How long the kinship caregiver can care for the child;
  2. Service needs and implementation for the child(ren) during their stay in the home of the kin caregiver;
  3. The role and responsibilities of the kin caregiver.
3. Gather or verify demographic information, if not already obtained.
  1. Kinship Caregiver(s): Name, DOB, SSN, gender, marital status, all previous addresses (within the last five years), contact information and verification of citizenship/identity.
  2. Other Kinship Caregiver Household Member(s): Name, DOB, SSN, gender, marital status, all previous addresses (within the last five years), contact information and verification of citizenship/identity.
  3. Obtain a copy of the driver’s license of all motor vehicle operators in the home.
4. History – DFCS, Safety Screenings and Criminal Records
  1. Review the results of the safety screenings and address any concerns.
  2. Analyze DFCS history in accordance with policy 19.10 Case Management: Analyzing DFCS History. Discuss DFCS history and any concerns with the kinship caregiver(s) and/or adult(s) residing in the home and how issues were resolved.
  3. Fully explore any criminal history of the kinship caregiver(s) and/or adults residing in the home.
5. Observe the physical home environment and determine if it is safe and appropriate to meet the needs of each child:
  1. Discuss the residence (rented or owned), if any special permission is needed to allow additional residents to reside in the home.
  2. Examine the exterior of the home, including the garage;
  3. Complete a walk-through of the residence;
    
    Examine every room in the home;
    
    Examine bathroom facilities and bathing arrangements;
    
    Identify sleeping arrangements for all household members (indicate the number of bedrooms). Discuss safe sleep practices, when an infant (birth to 12 months of age) is living in the home or is the subject of the out-of-home safety plan. Take appropriate action to remedy unsafe sleep situations prior to leaving the home such as helping the kin caregiver(s) prepare a safe sleeping area for an infant (see Forms and Tools: Infant Safe to Sleep Guidelines and Protocol).
  4. Verify the following:
    
    Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on each level of the residence (see policy 14.1 Resource Development: Safety and Quality Standards (SQS)).
    
    Utilities are operating and in good working order.
    
    Telephone accessibility.
    
    Functioning of the kitchen appliances.
    
    Childproofing based on the age and developmental needs of the child (i.e. electrical outlets covered, cleaning supplies and medications in locked cabinets, etc.).
    
    Heating and cooling system.
  5. Identify any safety concerns within the home and any repairs required to prevent harm or danger to the child(ren).
6. Discuss the presence of any of the following and the measures taken by the kinship caregiver(s) for child safety and injury prevention and their views and practices regarding child supervision in, near or while using:
  1. Water (pools, hot tubs, ponds, lakes, rivers, etc.) and whether fencing, gate with lock, pool alarm or pool cover is used.
  2. Pets: list of all animals and whether they are current on their vaccinations.
  3. Weapons: number, type, location (inside and outside of the home) and method of securing.
    
    All weapons must be secured in a lock box or cabinet. Ammunition must be stored separately away from the weapon.
  4. Vehicles/Appliances: unlocked and inoperable vehicles or appliances inside or outside of the home.
  5. High traffic streets or highways nearby.
  6. Trampolines and whether a safety nets are utilized.
  7. Bicycles and the use of safety helmets.
  8. All-terrain vehicles (ATV).
    
    The kinship caregiver(s) must consult with the SSCM before allowing a child to operate or be a passenger on an ATV.
7. Discuss transportation and child passenger safety including:
  1. Whether the family owns a vehicle with child safety features.
  2. Whether the identified driver(s) have a valid driver’s license. Obtain a copy of the valid driver’s license.
  3. Availability and use of child restraint devices (i.e. car seats, booster seats, etc.)
  4. Motor vehicle safety recommendations including hot car safety with caregivers. See Practice Guidance: Motor Vehicle “Hot Car” Safety Recommendations.
  5. At minimum liability insurance coverage or current transportation plan until insurance is obtained.
  6. The mode of transportation readily available if the family does not own a vehicle or if the vehicle is unsafe.
8. Discuss employment and finances to determine whether the kinship caregiver(s) has sufficient income to meet their own needs and to provide temporary care for the child(ren).
  Provide full disclosure of all financial and non-financial supports available in accordance with policy 22.8 Kinship: Financial and Non-Financial Supports for Children in Foster Care or Who Have Achieved Permanency.
  
  Any assistance needed in applying for benefits
  
  The parent or legal custodian remains financially responsible for their child when using a voluntary kinship caregiver.
9. General
  1. Identify who will provide direct care for the child.
  2. Discuss the kinship caregiver’s plan for childcare due to employment, child’s after school needs or other reasons. Discuss whether the child is eligible for childcare assistance.
  3. Discuss the relationship between the parent(s) and kinship caregiver(s).
  4. Identify with the kinship caregiver(s) their strengths and needs.
  5. Explore how the child’s presence in the kinship caregiver’s home impacts the current family functioning or dynamics.
  6. Observe and assess:
    
    The interaction between the kinship caregiver(s) and the child.
    
    The childcare skills of the kinship caregiver(s).
    
    All children living in the home and describe the quality of care they receive.
    
    The physical, psychological, emotional and intellectual well-being of the kinship caregiver(s) and whether there are any limitations that impair their ability to care for the child(ren).
10. Complete the following additional steps, when conducting a Kinship Assessment for a child in foster care:
  1. Discuss the child in the home:
    
    The medical, emotional and physical needs of the child and whether the kinship caregiver(s) has the capacity to meet any special needs of the child(ren).
    
    Whether the kinship caregiver(s) is willing and able to meet the basic needs (educational, clothing, food and medical) of the child. What arrangements have been made to maintain the child(ren) in their same school? What is the plan for medical treatment for the child(ren)?
    
    Parental access to the child and whether unsupervised contact is allowed. Identify the steps the kinship caregiver(s) should take if the parents attempt to take physical custody of the child without DFCS approval.
    
    Practices and views on maintaining the child’s parental, sibling and other family ties.
    
    The child’s interpersonal relationships with other household members.
  2. Discuss and describe the kinship caregiver’s views and practices on discipline and corporal punishment.
    
    How the kinship caregiver(s) discipline their own children and the reasons for the discipline.
    
    DFCS discipline policy for a child in foster care and the reason for such a policy (see policy 14.20 Resource Development: Discipline and Behavior Management).
    
    Whether the kinship caregiver(s) and other direct caregiver(s) commit to refraining from using corporal punishment. Assist the kinship caregiver(s) in identifying appropriate discipline techniques, if applicable.
  3. Obtain the health history of all kinship caregiver(s) and their household members.
    
    Request the primary and secondary kinship caregivers and their current household members complete a medical evaluation. The medical evaluation must be conducted and signed by a licensed physician, physician’s assistant, or public health department within 12 months of the approval date for the Kinship Assessment (see policy 22.4 Kinship: Kinship Foster Home Evaluation).
    
    Mental health in accordance with policy 14.1 Resource Development: Safety and Quality Standards (SQS).
    
    Request all kinship caregivers complete a drug screen in accordance with policy 19.25 Case Management: Drug Screens. Address any concerns with drug screen results.
  4. Request the kinship caregiver provide two references that can describe their ability to provide care for the child(ren).
  5. Additional Information
11. Review, provide and obtain the kinship caregiver(s) signatures (as applicable) on the following documents:
  1. Caregiver Child Safety Agreement
  2. Kinship Pathway
  3. CRC authorizations (see policy 19.8 Case Management: Criminal Records Checks (CRC))
12. Advise of any changes that are required to approve the assessment (i.e. home repairs, childproofing, etc.).
Contact the references provided by the kinship caregiver(s), when the Kinship Assessment is for the placement of a child in foster care, and discuss at minimum:
1. How long have they known the family;
2. What type of relationship they have with the family (friend, employer, doctor, minister, etc.);
3. Their opinion of the marital and family relationships;
4. The family’s relationships outside the home (neighborhood, church, etc.);
5. Their opinion and observations of the kinship caregiver(s) with the child; and
6. Any other areas of concern or anything the reference would like to share.
Consult with the SSS to discuss the results of the Kinship Assessment and if necessary next steps. Discuss safety screenings and CRC results, interviews, and observations.

Document the Kinship Assessment in Georgia Shines:

Complete all components of the Kinship Assessment
Upload into External Documentation the:
1. Caregiver Child Safety Agreement
2. Kinship Pathway
3. Drug Screen results (if applicable)
4. NCIC/GCIC results (if not uploaded by Office of Inspector General)
5. Copy of the driver’s license of all motor vehicle operators in the home
6. Prospective Foster or Adoptive Parent Medical Evaluation Report (if applicable)
7. Additional Household Member Medical Evaluation Report form (if applicable)
8. Submit the Kinship Assessment to the SSS for review and approval.

When the Kinship Assessment is completed by the CCFA provider the SSCM will enter the Kinship Assessment into Georgia SHINES including uploading all supporting documents in External Documentation.

Notify the kinship caregiver(s) of the Kinship Assessment approval decision. If the Kinship Assessment is not approved, build consensus regarding the denial reason(s) and develop an action plan to correct them if the reason(s) for denial can be rectified. Document the denial reason(s) in Georgia SHINES.

The Social Services Supervisor wil

Track and monitor the completion of Kinship Assessments using the Timeliness to Complete Kinship Assessment and Kinship Home Approval LENSES reports.
Ensure the Kinship Assessment or the abbreviated Kinship Assessment is completed as appropriate for the case circumstances.
Conduct a staffing with the SSCM to discuss the information gathered, as applicable:
1. Review and consider safety screenings, including the exploration of any history with the individual, in accordance with policy 19.9 Case Management: Safety Screenings.
2. Review and consider CRCs, including the exploration of any criminal history with the individual, in accordance with policy 19.8 Case Management: Criminal Records Check (CRC).
3. Review the drug screen results of the kinship caregivers to assess caregiver protective capacities.
4. The home visit and face-to-face interview with all household members (kinship caregivers, other adults and children), including family functioning and the observation of interactions between the kinship caregivers and their children (if applicable) and any children in the home subject to the Kinship Assessment.
5. The environmental assessment of the home, including any safety concerns and any recommendations for changes to the home environment.
6. The medical evaluation(s) to determine if the kinship caregiver’s health and capabilities are sufficient to care for the child(ren).
7. Determine the kinship caregiver’s ability to provide temporary care and meet the needs of each child and the suitability of their home. If the Kinship Assessment cannot be approved, in conjunction with the SSCM, build consensus regarding the denial reason(s) and develop a plan to address the concern(s), if the reason(s) for denial can be rectified.
Review the Kinship Assessment and make approval decision in Georgia SHINES, ensure:
1. The assessment is thoroughly completed.
2. Observation of the interactions of the kinship caregiver and their household members are documented.
3. The required documents are uploaded to External Documentation.
Submit the approved Kinship Assessment to the County Director/Designee for final approval, when the Kinship Assessment is for the placement of a child in foster care.
When an abbreviated Kinship Assessment is required for the immediate placement of a child in foster care:
1. Ensure the abbreviated Kinship Assessment is thoroughly completed and documented in Georgia SHINES.
2. Conduct a staffing with the SSCM to review information gathered.
3. Review and make the abbreviated Kinship Assessment approval decision in Georgia SHINES within 72 hours of the immediate placement.
4. Ensure the Kinship Assessment is completed within 30 calendar days of the immediate placement.

Practice Guidance

Kinship Assessment

The Kinship Assessment is an evaluation of the kinship caregiver(s), the home environment and whether the kinship caregiver(s) can safely meet the needs of the children.

Kinship Assessments Across County Lines

When it is necessary to utilize a kinship caregiver that is in a different county from the county with case management responsibilities (legal county). The County Division where the kinship caregiver resides (boarding county) has the responsibility to complete the Kinship Assessment and make an approval decision in Georgia SHINES, upon request from the legal county. The legal county’s decision should be communicated to the boarding county. If the boarding county approved the Kinship Assessment, the legal county shall make the determination if the child will be placed in the kinship caregiver’s home. If the boarding county, denied the Kinship Assessment, the legal county is not permitted to place the child in the boarding county’s jurisdiction. When the legal county disagrees with the boarding county’s approval decision of the Kinship Assessment, a staffing should be immediately held to discuss the reasons for the denial.

When an abbreviated Kinship Assessment is required for the immediate placement of a child in foster care and the kinship caregiver resides in a different county than the legal county, the legal county is solely responsible for completing and approving the abbreviated Kinship Assessment in Georgia SHINES.

Kinship Assessment for Voluntary Kinship Arrangement

A Kinship Assessment for a voluntary kinship arrangement is used to evaluate voluntary kinship caregivers who has been selected by the family to care for their children, when a consensus with the family has been reached that an out-of-home safety plan is necessary to control or resolve safety threats. The child remains in the legal custody of their parent, guardian or legal custodian. The parent, guardian or legal custodian remains financially responsible for the child. For additional information on voluntary kinship arrangements see policy 22.1 Kinship: Use of Voluntary Kinship Caregivers in Child Protection Services.

Kinship Assessment for Temporary Alternative to Foster Care

A Kinship Assessment for temporary alternative to foster care is used to evaluate a kinship caregiver, who has been selected by the court to care for the child(ren) when the court orders a child placed in their care. The child remains in the legal custody of their parent, guardian or legal custodian. The parent, guardian or legal remains financially responsible for the child. For additional information on Temporary Alternative to Foster Care see policy 17.1 Legal: The Juvenile Court Process.

Kinship Assessment for Temporary Custody to a Third Party

A Kinship Assessment for temporary custody to a third party is used to evaluate a kinship caregiver, when DFCS will recommend temporary custody to a third party through juvenile court for a child in an open CPS case. Physical custody and the care of the child is transferred to third party custodian. The third party custodian has financial responsibility for the child. For additional information on Temporary Custody to a Third Party see policy 22.12 Kinship: Temporary Custody to a Third Party in Child Protective Services.

Kinship Assessment for Guardianship

A Kinship Assessment for guardianship is used to evaluate a kinship caregiver when DFCS will recommend guardianship through probate or juvenile court when guardianship is the most appropriate plan to achieve permanency for a child in an open CPS case. Physical custody and the care of the child is transferred to the legal guardian. The legal guardian has financial responsibility for the child. For additional information on Guardianship in Child Protective Services see policy 22.11 Kinship: Guardianship in Child Protective Services.

Kinship Assessment for Foster Care Placement

A Kinship Assessment for Foster Care Placement is used to evaluate a kinship caregiver who is identified through the diligent search process (see policy 19.20 Case Management: Diligent Search) to care for a child in foster care. The child is in the legal custody of DFCS, and additional requirements are necessary when evaluating the kinship caregivers. DFCS is financially responsible for the child. For additional information on foster kinship placements see policy 22.2 Use of Kinship Caregivers in Foster Care.

Forms and Tools

Additional Household Member Medical Evaluation Report
Infant Safe to Sleep Guidelines and Protocol
Notice of Privacy Practices
Notice of Privacy Practices (Spanish)
Prospective Foster or Adoptive Parent Medical Evaluation Report