Award Date

8-12-2025

Degree Type

Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Department

Public Policy and Leadership

Advisor 1

Jessica Word

Number of Pages

114

Abstract

Foster Kinship, a Nevada-based nonprofit, operates under the belief that “When children cannot be with their parents, they should be with their family” (Foster Kinship, 2022). It supports kinship caregivers, who often take in children during a crisis, in navigating the foster care system. The organization’s Kinship Navigator Program offers training, case management, and licensing support to kinship caregivers, enabling them to access financial assistance and other benefits. However, many caregivers who complete the training do not finish the licensing process, limiting placement stability and access to resources for the children. Understanding why kinship caregivers trained through the Foster Kinship Navigator Program do not complete licensing is crucial to improving program outcomes, increasing the organization’s impact, and helping more children remain in safe, supportive family environments.

Methodology

When the literature review revealed that no single barrier could fully account for the failure to license trained caregivers, we recognized that our data approach needed to reflect the complex, multifaceted nature of the issue. We examined the problem from multiple perspectives to understand both the procedural challenges and the lived experiences behind them. Our research was designed to identify where families get stuck in the process—and why. By aligning our methods with the existing literature, we aimed not only to collect data but also to identify the real-world gap between well-meaning policy and the practical realities of kinship care. Therefore, this program evaluation used a mixed-methods design to capture both quantitative trends and qualitative insights.

Quantitative data were collected via a Qualtrics survey distributed to three caregiver groups:

  • IDEAL (n=624) – Completed training and licensing.
  • WHY (n=228) – Completed training but not licensing.
  • FAIL (n=300) – Did not complete either process. Qualitative data were collected through a focus group with caregivers and a staff member from Foster Kinship.
  • Caregiver focus groups to capture firsthand experiences with the training and licensing process.
  • Staff focus groups examined staff awareness of perceived caregiver needs and reviewed Foster Kinship’s internal processes and real-world work experiences. Additional sources of data reviewed included an attempt to incorporate data from the other external factors such as housing and the economy were also examined through a literature review. Triangulating these sources ensured a more comprehensive understanding of both systemic and individual factors influencing licensing completion

Key Findings

Although reasons for not completing licensure varied, several recurring barrier themes emerged:

  • Housing and transportation requirements (e.g., square footage, vehicle insurance).
  • Administrative burden, including paperwork complexity and inconsistent guidance.
  • Confusion and miscommunication between agencies and caregivers.

In some cases, reunification of children with parents rendered licensure unnecessary, further complicating trends in completion rates.

Recommendations

Based on these findings, the evaluation team proposes the following actionable steps:

System-Level

1. Clarify Cross-Agency Roles and Improve Communication Consistency
2. Clarify and Simplify Licensing Requirements and Documentation
3. Offer Early Financial and Logistical Supports

Organizational Process & Infrastructure

4. Expand Organizational Capacity and Staff Development
5. Strengthen Culturally Responsive and Trauma-Informed Practices

Direct Caregiver-Facing

6. Improve Post-Training Follow-Up to Maintain Caregiver Momentum
7. Develop a Peer Mentorship Model to Foster Relational Support
8. Pilot a Kinship Caregiver Resource Hub Model

Call to Action

Completing licensure is more than just a bureaucratic step—it determines whether caregivers can access the resources needed to provide stable, long-term care for children. Implementing these recommendations will help Foster Kinship reduce preventable barriers, boost caregiver confidence, and ultimately keep more children in safe, nurturing family homes. Implementing these recommendations will turn these insights into better outcomes for Nevada’s kinship families.

Controlled Subject

Kinship care; Foster home care

Disciplines

Public Policy | Social Welfare

File Format

pdf

File Size

6000 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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