Publication Date
2-21-2026
Document Type
Article
Organizational Units
Graduate School of Social Work
Keywords
Family engagement, Caregivers, Foster care, Kinship care, Relational permanency, Child welfare
Abstract
Family engagement is increasingly prioritized in child welfare policy and practice, yet limited research has explored how foster and kinship caregivers perceive and navigate this process. Understanding caregivers’ experiences is critical to advancing relational permanency and improving outcomes for children in foster care. Using an adapted grounded theory design, this qualitative study examined the experiences of 24 foster and kinship caregivers from two agencies participating in a family engagement practice model in one state. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus groups, and were analyzed thematically. All participants provided informed consent, data were de-identified, and pseudonyms were assigned to transcripts to protect participants’ confidentiality. Findings revealed a central theme, the caregivers’ need for a "middleman" to facilitate engagement, and three major themes: (1) countering negative messaging and systemic barriers, including biases toward families; (2) negotiating engagement through setting boundaries, building trust, and facilitating dialogue; and (3) partnering with families to support child well-being, often requiring ongoing support and adaptation. Differences between kinship and non-relative caregivers emerged, highlighting the need for tailored approaches. This study addresses a critical gap in the literature by centering family engagement processes, an area often examined from the viewpoint of professionals. Caregivers play a pivotal yet under-recognized role in family engagement. Providing structured facilitation, clear role guidance, and relational support may strengthen caregiver-family partnerships and address system-level barriers. Findings offer actionable insights to inform training, practice, and policy improvements that advance family engagement in child welfare.
Copyright Date
2-26-2026
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Rights Holder
Anna Wasim, Catherine A. LaBrenz, Nelkasia Graves, Samantha Zuniga Thompson, and Monica Faulkner
Provenance
Received from Elsevier
File Format
application/pdf
Language
English (eng)
Extent
10 pgs
File Size
806 KB
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the Authors. User is responsible for all copyright compliance. This article was originally published as
Wasim, A., LaBrenz, C. A., Graves, N., Thompson, S. Z., & Faulkner, M. (2026). “Sometimes you need a middleman”: Negotiating Family Engagement for Foster and Kinship Caregivers Involved with Child Welfare. Children and Youth Services Review, 183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2026.108841
Publication Title
Children and Youth Services Review
Volume
183
First Page
108841
ISSN
0190-7409
Recommended Citation
Wasim, Anna; LaBrenz, Catherine A.; Graves, Nelkasia; Thompson, Samantha Zuniga; and Faulkner, Monica, "“Sometimes you need a middleman”: Negotiating Family Engagement for Foster and Kinship Caregivers Involved with Child Welfare" (2026). Graduate School of Social Work: Student Scholarship. 1.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/gssw_student/1
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2026.108841
Included in
Community-Based Research Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Social Welfare Commons, Social Work Commons