In San Diego County, 1,074 children are currently in out-of-home care, and nearly half—531—are living with relatives. Placing children with family members is the County’s preferred option.
Kinship care places a child full-time with extended family or close family friends instead of unrelated caregivers or group care. These placements often begin as soon as the child enters foster care and may last weeks, months or even years.
The County’s Child and Family Well‑Being (CFWB) department prioritizes kinship placements whenever possible. Research shows foster youth who live with family experience greater stability and less trauma than those placed in non-relative settings. Kinship care is linked to stronger long-term behavioral and mental health outcomes, as well as higher academic success.
Living with relatives also helps children stay connected to their culture, community and siblings while they work toward healing and, when possible, reunification with their parents.
Many kinship caregivers – especially grandparents living on fixed incomes – take on this responsibility with limited resources. To support them, the County offers them financial, legal, educational and community assistance to help ensure their families remain stable and successful.
It has made a real difference for Jean, Oscar and Valerie — and for so many families across our region who open their homes and their hearts to keep children safe, supported and connected to the people who love them.