Kinship

Did You Know?

In Washington State, kinship care includes both formal and informal arrangements. A 2020 report found that 3,548 children—47% of those in out-of-home placements—were in formal kinship care through the child welfare system, while an estimated 44,000 children lived with grandparents or other relatives in informal arrangements without state involvement.

Overview

The Kinship Program is a multi-contract initiative designed to expand access to civil legal aid for individuals providing kinship care in Washington State. The program offers legal advice and referrals, develops resources, trains public and pro bono attorneys, and coordinates efforts to support free legal services for kinship caregivers.

What is Kinship care?

Kinship care refers to caregiving arrangements in which grandparents, extended family members, or close family friends care for children when parents are unable to do so. Kinship caregiving arrangements provide stability for children who are in, or may be involved in, the child welfare system. When compared to foster care, children in kinship care experience fewer school and neighborhood changes, leading to better outcomes for children. Additionally, effective kinship arrangements can prevent children from state intervention and potential dependencies.

Kinship caregivers face multiple civil legal issues, including establishing legal custody, minor guardianships, navigating the child dependency system, and determining eligibility for public benefits and subsidized housing.

Program History

The Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA) operates two contracts to support kinship care legal aid: the Kinship Care Legal Aid Coordinator and the Kinship Care Legal Aid Hotline.

Coordinator

In 2019, the Legislature enacted RCW 2.53.055, which established the position of Kinship Care Legal Aid Coordinator at OCLA and authorized OCLA to contract with a nonprofit legal aid organization to host and fulfill the duties of the coordinator. Since July 1, 2019, OCLA has contracted with the King County Bar Association (KCBA) to house this position.

The Kinship Care Legal Aid Coordinator's role includes consulting with specified entities to identify and develop local and regional kinship care legal aid initiatives as well as implementing recommendations from the Kinship Care Oversight Committee as outlined in RCW 74.13.621. The ultimate goal is to develop, expand, and deliver training materials to help pro bono and low bono attorneys provide legal advice and assistance to kinship caregivers in meeting the physical, mental, social, educational, and other needs of children and youth in their care.

Legal Aid Hotline

In 2022, the Legislature appropriated $350,000 annually to establish a legal advice phone line to provide guidance and legal advice for kinship caregivers. The phone line was required to be staffed by attorneys with experience in kinship care, guardianship statutes, the child welfare system, and issues related to legal custody. OCLA again contracted with KCBA to establish the Legal Advice and Referral for Kinship Care Hotline (LAARK). Beginning in FY 2026, the legislature expanded funding for LAARK to increase staffing and provide additional services.

Other Support

LAARK and the Legal Aid Coordinator position were implemented with the support and engagement of the DSHS Kinship Care Oversight Committee (KCOC). KCOC is a statutorily mandated committee, comprising kinship caregivers and various community partners dedicated to supporting and enhancing kinship families. Established in 2003, the KCOC's primary role is to advise the Legislature on identifying, supporting, and strengthening kinship care families. Key to its mission is ensuring that kinship caregivers contribute their insights to shape agency practices and services for the kinship community. Kinship Care Oversight Committee (KCOC) | Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families

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