To the extent possible, CPS tries to keep or place each child with relatives or people the child has known all his or her life (fictive kin), rather than placing the child with strangers. See the Services to Kinship Caregivers Resource Guide, under Definitions.

Because relatives and fictive kin are usually in a better position to meet a child’s needs for belonging, stability, and continuity of care than unrelated caregivers, CPS ordinarily gives relatives more consideration for permanent placement (either by adoption or permanent conservatorship) than adoption by strangers, alternative long-term care, or adult living.

CPS must make decisions regarding placement with relatives or fictive kin based on the relative or fictive kin caregiver’s capacity to protect the child from safety threats.