30 Days To Family®: Connecting Youth With Relatives

More Than Family Finding

More than 102 studies involving 666,615 children prove that youth have better health, educational, and mental health outcomes when placed with relatives or kin. 70% of children are placed with kin within 30 days of entering foster care and more than $10,200 is saved by taxpayers per child served, as youth exit foster care more quickly.

My Specialist was consistently two steps ahead of me, which is much appreciated when there are so many things going on at once. Thank you so much!
– Case Manager
My Specialist was exceptional: professional, courteous and knowledgeable. She is very helpful and always willing to assist the case manager and family.
– Case Manager
I really love using 30 Days to Family® for my cases. The most helpful services, for me, are the assistance with the initial relative placement and the assistance with the ICPC paperwork.
– Case Manager

How Does It Work?

Our 30 Days to Family® Specialists are highly skilled at detective work and supporting kinship providers. In the case’s first 48 hours, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings are notified the youth is in foster care. Using technology and direct outreach, the family tree grows to an average of 150 individuals.

We help relatives consider placement, and if that is not possible, explore how they would like to support the child, including childcare, school pick up, transportation, meals, mentorship, etc. When the kinship placement provider is identified, we complete background checks and a safety home walkthrough; provide needed items, such as clothing, beds, and fire extinguishers; and secure essential community services, including health care, day care, therapists, etc.

What Makes it Unique?

More than 102 studies involving 666,615 children prove that youth have better health, educational, and mental health outcomes when placed with relatives or kin. 30 Days to Family® was founded by the Coalition so children have the best opportunity to be placed within their family of origin.

Additionally, the researchers found our kinship caregivers experience less stress because of the wraparound plan (Roadmap to Family). Finally, taxpayers save an average of $10,217 per child served, as youth exit foster care more quickly. For those with an identified disability, savings increase to an average of $29,819.

Who is Eligible?

A child (ages 0-17) who:

Is referred to the program prior to the court’s protective custody hearing.
Has entered foster care in St. Louis City or the counties of Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles, St. Louis, or Warren.

Measuring Impact

Children placed with kin within 30 days of entering foster care

Cases identified by backup placement caregivers

Wraparound plan (Roadmap to Family) completed by families

An independent study of 30 Days to Family® found children served have:

An 88% placement stability rate.
Less trauma and fewer institutional stays.
More positive relationships with mother, contact with paternal relatives, and involvement in extra-curricular activities and employment.
Additionally, the researchers found our kinship caregivers experience less stress because of the wraparound plan (Roadmap to Family).
Finally, taxpayers save an average of $10,217 per child served, as youth exit foster care more quickly. For those with an identified disability, savings increase to an average of $29,819.