Kinship Care: Texas's Hidden Safety Net for 263,000 Children
An estimated 263,013 children in Texas live in kinship households — with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and family friends. New data shows kinship placements reduce trauma, improve permanency, and save the state millions.
263,013
Children in Kinship Households
Estimated children living with relatives in Texas (informal + formal)
74%
Exits to Family
Share of FY 2024 DFPS custody exits that were to family
6.9M
Legislative Investment
88th Legislature appropriation for kinship caregiver support
When child welfare conversations focus on foster care placements, they often overlook the largest safety net of all: kinship care. An estimated 263,013 children in Texas live in kinship households — informally, voluntarily, or through formal state arrangements. These are grandparents, aunts, uncles, and family friends who step in when parents cannot.
The Scale
In FY 2023, DFPS formally placed 6,088 children through state-supervised kinship care and 11,175 in paid foster care. But the formal system captures only a fraction of kinship arrangements. The vast majority of the 263,013 children in kinship households are in informal arrangements that receive little to no state support.
Who Are the Caregivers?
The demographics tell a story of sacrifice:
- 40% of children in kinship care live with a grandparent
- 3 in 10 kinship households are below 150% of the poverty level
- 66% of children in kinship care are children of color — 44% Hispanic, 18% African American
Why Kinship Matters
Research consistently shows that placing children with relatives when removal is necessary reduces trauma and improves permanency outcomes. During FY 2024, nearly 74% of the 10,771 exits from DFPS legal custody were to family — a testament to the state's emphasis on family connections.
Policy Progress
DFPS has updated its policy to require staff to help families identify all grandparents and adult relatives — not just three — who might be considered for placement. The agency's FY 2026 plan prioritizes kinship as a first placement after removal.
The 88th Legislature appropriated $6.9 million to support kinship caregivers through immediate-needs assistance, reimbursement for foster care licensing expenses, and Enhanced Permanency Care Assistance. An additional $3.0 million was directed to kinship families caring for children with high-acuity behavioral needs.
The Gap
Despite progress, kinship caregivers often receive a fraction of the financial support given to licensed foster families. Many grandparents and relatives shoulder the full cost of caring for children without any state assistance. Advocates argue that closing this gap would strengthen the most effective permanency pathway Texas has.
Sources: DFPS Data Book, Every Texan (February 2025), DFPS FY 2026 Capacity Building Plan, 88th Legislature Appropriations