Out of Care (Kinship) Services

Sometimes, parents may require extra support from friends, family or Indigenous community members to care for their children so they can focus on their current life circumstances.

When working with our agency, we refer to this type of extra support as an out-of-care, or kinship care arrangement. This means that parents agree to have a relative, friend or community member care for their children on a temporary basis while they get the support they need. This type of care arrangement aligns with many Indigenous world-views around the entire community being an active part in the upbringing of children.

Out-of-Care Goals:

When a care arrangement is made between parents and their relatives, friends or community members, the primary planning goals are to:

  • Reunite the child or youth with their parents

  • Put the child or youth at the center of all decisions, which includes considering their views about decisions that affect them

Out-of-Care (Kinship) Services Include:

  • Temporary out-of-care arrangements:

    • Extended Family Plans
    • Temporary custody to a person other than the parent
  • Permanent transfers of custody to someone familiar – If the child or youth has lived outside of their parent’s home and it is determined that it is not possible for them to return to their parent’s care, an alternate, more permanent plan is created for long‐term stability

Our Out-of-Care team supports individuals to become full or part-time caregivers for urban Indigenous children in a way that is respectful, culturally grounded, and child-centered.

They provide caregivers with on-going funding, guidance, and support to ensure the children/youth they are caring for will thrive.