• An informal agreement between family members or with a non-relative. This arrangement can occur when Hamilton County Children’s Services does not have legal custody of the child.
  • Kinship caregiver– The caregiver has physical custody, and Hamilton County Children’s Services has legal custody.
  • Kinship guardian– The caregiver has legal custody and physical custody. Hamilton County Children’s Services typically closes the case.
  • Kinship foster care– The caregiver is a licensed foster parent and has physical custody of the child. Hamilton County Children’s Services has legal custody.
  • Kinship adoption– The biological parents’ rights are terminated and the relative caregiver becomes the child’s legal parent.