Strengths and Stressors in a Population of Kinship Caregivers: Implications for Caseload Management and Administration

This article presents the results from 77 interviews with kinship caregivers participating in the child-only component of the TANF program. The authors interviewed caregivers using the Strengths and Stressors Tracking Device (SSTD). Key findings include: Most caregivers and their families possess significant strengths that can be used in a strengths-based approach to case management; environmental stress–-an acknowledged ecological correlate with potential for abuse and neglect–-is an area of strength; and permanency planning and long-term stability of the kinship care situation should be a major focus of social services and case managers. This research offers a valuable contribution to child welfare and kinship care literature because it provides evidence-based research to demonstrate the significant strengths in a caregiving population.