In Need of a Placement
Depending on the CPS investigation, there are several possible outcomes for Julie. (You can read our full article to learn more!) These range from creating a family plan to CPS removing Julie from her father’s care and placing her in the custody of either a foster family or a relative.
Recent years have seen a major increase in relative placements, which assume adults have an investment in the well-being of children they’re related to. In many instances, that is true, but Julie’s only other living family member is an aunt in Kentucky whom she’s never met. When the only relative placement option means relocating to an unfamiliar location (sometimes in another city or even state) to live with someone who is basically a stranger, is that the best option for Julie?
Ms. Thompson considers how she could help. What if Julie moved in with her, informally, so she had a place to stay? That’s a possibility, but could she afford to take care of a teenager on her salary? And what would happen if Julie needed medical care or wanted to do something like get her driver’s license? In the past, Ms. Thompson’s only option would have been to pursue an informal placement or a private guardianship, which didn’t come with any financial supports. But that all changed on January 1, 2025.
Making Like-Kin Placements Official
Starting this year, the law now allows for placements with “like-kin,” or adults who have significant, preexisting relationships with children, even if they are not biologically or legally related. This recognizes that bonds like the one between Julie and Ms. Thompson that are formed through everyday interactions—including community involvement, extracurricular activities, or mentorship—can be as strong as familial ones, or possibly even stronger.
With this revision of the Children’s Code, Ms. Thompson is considered like-kin and could be a potential placement for Julie no matter what the outcome of the CPS investigation:
- If CPS screens out the referral or suggests a family plan, CPS and her father could still decide that Julie is better off with her teacher. As Julie’s informal caregiver, Ms. Thompson would not be eligible to be licensed, but the new like-kin legislation means that she could still apply for kinship benefits of $400 a month (per child).
- If CPS decides that Julie isn’t safe at home and requests a Child in Need of Protection or Services order, Julie could be placed in foster care with her teacher. Kids Matter Inc. would encourage Ms. Thompson to pursue foster parent licensure to get access to additional funding and support for Julie, as well as more rights regarding her role in Julie’s life.
Knowing that she would have some financial support no matter what the outcome of the investigation, Ms. Thompson could feel more comfortable committing to being responsible for Julie.
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