What is kinship care?

Kinship care, or family caring for family, is a natural, out-of-home placement option for children that successfully meets their need for safety, permanency and well-being. 

Impact

Better Outcomes for Children

Children in care have already experienced the trauma of being removed from their homes and families. Placing them with strangers only compounds that trauma. Placing them in the homes of relatives or fictive kin reduces the chance for further trauma, while at the same time maintains their connection to their communities and cultures.

Model

A Value for Family

As the only agency in the country that exclusively delivers services to the entire kinship triad (child, caregiver and birth family), our approach is pure kinship. We provide strengths-based, trauma-informed, culturally competent kinship care services that support stability and continuity and maintain a child's cultural identity and contact with their birth family.

Values

What Is Important to Us?

ASCI values diversity, equity and inclusion. We show our kinship families and birth families respect and help them maintain their dignity. We are honest and transparent. And we always consider the culture of those with whom we interact, responding sensitively and respectfully based on their beliefs, practices and needs.

How We Have Helped


ASCI has served approximately 31,000 children, 10,000 kinship caregivers and 30,000 birth parents since its founding.

Reunification

70% of our children reach reunification within the first year of service.

70%

Education

98% of our youth graduate high school, compared to the national average of 50%.

98%

Adoption

78% of our children have closed to adoption.

78%
Uncategorized
From Grandparent to Parent: Understanding Your New Journey – Special Evening Seminar

Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PMLocation: Oasis Community Events Center, 7171 N Homewood Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15208RSVP: Registration is not required, but please let us know…

Read More about [title]
Uncategorized
Celebrating Valentine’s Day as a Family: Love, Laughter, and Togetherness

Valentine’s Day is often seen as a day for couples, but why not make it a celebration for the whole family? After all, love is about the bonds we share…

Read More about [title]
Uncategorized
Embracing African Heritage and Health Week: A Time to Honor Culture and Wellness

As we journey together, it’s essential to reflect on the unique experiences and opportunities we can share. This week, we are excited to celebrate African Heritage and Health Week—a time…

Read More about [title]
Activism
ASCI’s Webinar Series: Ending Hidden Foster Care

A Second Chance, Inc. (ASCI) and Think of Us are proud to invite you to an important and timely webinar on Monday, February 26th, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. ET. This…

Read More about [title]