Abstract

In order to examine the experiences of both formal and informal kinship caregivers, this study presents data from June 2003 to October 2005 from the Kinship Care Warmline, a statewide emotional support, education, and information and referral telephone line in Florida. This study addresses the following three research questions: (1) What are the demographics and basic needs of a large group of kinship caregivers in a Southern state? (2) Do kinship caregiver and children demographics differ by formal versus informal custody arrangements? (3) Do the needs identified by kinship caregivers differ significantly by formal versus informal custody arrangements?

The following differences were found between formal and informal kinship caregivers: income, relationship to child, child's age, number of children in care, and length of time in care. Both formal and informal kinship caregivers expressed similar needs. Significant differences were found between informal and formal caregivers for the need for more information about available resources and the need for counseling for their children. Both informal and formal caregivers felt particularly strong about the need for more information about resources. This supports the operation of the Kinship Care Warmline for those caregivers in need.

Keywords: Caregiver; Kinship; Children

Article Outline

1. Introduction

2. Review of policy development

3. Review of research

3.1. National non-probability samples

3.2. National probability samples

3.3. Smaller samples

3.4. Kinship Care Warmline: Overview of services

3.5. Kinship Care Warmline: Data collection

3.6. Research questions

4. Method

4.1. Instruments

4.1.1. Florida Kinship Center Demographic Survey

4.1.2. The Florida Kinship Center Needs Checklist

4.2. Participants

4.3. Procedure

4.4. Analysis

4.4.1. Demographics by formal and informal caregiving

4.4.2. Needs of formal and informal caregivers

5. Results

5.1. Basic demographics

5.2. Demographics by formal and informal kinship caregiving

5.3. Needs by formal and informal caregivers

6. Discussion

6.1. Basic demographics

6.1.1. Age

6.1.2. Race

6.1.3. Length of time in relative care

6.1.4. Income and education

6.2. Demographics by formal and informal kinship caregiving

6.2.1. Income

6.2.2. Relationships to the child

6.2.3. Child age

6.2.4. Number of children in relative care

6.2.5. Length of time in care

6.3. Needs of formal and informal caregivers

7. Limitations

7.1. Sample

7.2. Intervention

8. Future implications

References