Presents the results of telephone interviews, self-questionnaires, and site visits of 48 state child protective service offices regarding policies, procedures and protocols for handling complaints of abuse and neglect in children's institutions. Institutional child protection is seen as a relatively unformed appendage of interfamiliar child…

A survey of parents, foster parents, and guardians whose children were group home residents indicated the need for programs with different levels of parent involvement. Written contracts between houseparents and children's parents are recommended. (Author/DB)

Highlights the key issues in kinship care and discusses them as they relate to agency structure for kinship family support in the public child welfare system. Examines concerns for future planning, including meeting regulations, monitoring, and development of permanent plans, and explores implications for policy and practice. (Author/SD)

Presents a case study of the development of kinship care policy in Illinois due to court decisions regarding the provision of financial support to relatives acting as foster parents. Compares recent reform of kinship care policies in Illinois with welfare reform efforts across the country and their national implications. (SD)