Kinship / Family Finding

What is Family Finding?

Family Finding is a set of practices designed to locate, engage, connect and support family resources for children and youth.

The goal of Family Finding to identify, locate and engage as many caring individuals as possible to provide support for the child/youth.

Who Are We Looking For?

Biological relatives of the child/youth (kin) and/or individuals who have an emotionally significant relationship with the child including: godparents, neighbours, close family friends, spiritual advisors or congregation members and others identified by the child and/or their parent (kith or “fictive kin”).

How Can Family Finding Make a Difference?

A youth in care was asked was she hoped to achieve from the Family Finding process. She noted she had not seen her mother in many years and did not have any pictures of her because they had been lost along the way. The worker made a commitment to herself that even if she could not make any connections for this youth, she would do her best to get her some pictures. The worker met with the youth’s grandfather who offered several pictures of the youth and her mum together. This is just one of the ways Family finding can make a difference for our children and youth.