In recent years, child welfare caseloads have expanded rapidly, and increasing numbers of children have been placed with kin. Much of the current discussion surrounding kinship foster care stems from its rapid growth and the paucity of information about the placement type compared to our knowledge of other forms of foster care. The study reported here provides information about kinship foster care and foster family care focusing on the demographic characteristics of providers; the services providers receive; the children served in care; and issues of visitation with birth parents. The study highlights marked differences in providers and in the services they receive. Policy and practice considerations in the development of this field are also offered. © 1994.

The average age of children residing in foster care has declined considerably in recent years because of the large influx of infants and very young children into care. The large majority of these young children are placed in foster family homes or with kin, but a not insubstantial number are placed in group care settings. We review group care for young children in California against the standards of child welfare philosophy: to protect children and promote permanence. Compared with a primary placement in foster homes, group care for young children results in less stability, lower rates of adoption, and a greater likelihood of remaining in care.