When a parent dies or is not able to care for their child safely, relatives or family friends often step in to raise the child. This is kinship care. It can be temporary or permanent. It can be an informal arrangement with the parents or result from involvement with the child welfare system.

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Kinship caregivers are grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, non-blood relatives such as step-grandparents or family friends who are raising children when their parents cannot. Nearly 3 million children in the United States live in kinship care.