---
title: Unlocking Foster Care Licensing for More Kinship Caregivers
description: During the past 15 years, most states have been reducing barriers to foster home licensing for relatives and close family friends who open their homes to children who cannot stay with their parents. But not everyone who wants to qualify…
url: "https://bridges4mentalhealth.org/hub/kinship/unlocking-foster-care-licensing-for-more-kinship-caregivers/"
updated: "2026-07-31"
category: Kinship Care
tags:
  - Audience
  - Child welfare professionals
  - Report
---

# Unlocking Foster Care Licensing for More Kinship Caregivers

During the past 15 years, most states have been reducing barriers to foster home licensing for relatives and close family friends who open their homes to children who cannot stay with their parents. But not everyone who wants to qualify can, and many need more resources and services than child welfare agencies provide. A federal regulation change in 2023 has created
 new opportunities. This resource compiles State kinship care policies.

 

[Read More](https://assets.aecf.org/m/resourcedoc/Report-kinshiplicensing-2024.pdf)

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