When a child is placed with a relative, understanding the understanding the legal options available to the family in determining what placement status serves the child and family's best interests.
Jon Carey, Legal Advocate with the Kinship Care Resource Center at MSU, will review the legal statuses available to kinship care families, including:
- Power of attorney
- Guardianship
- Custody
- Adoption
The training will cover the pros and cons of each option, how family dynamics can influence which path is appropriate, and best practices for recognizing when a legal status may not be meeting a child's needs. CASA staff and volunteers will leave with a clearer understanding of these legal options and the resources available to kinship families, so they can better recognize what's in place — or what may be needed — to support the child's best interest.
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Jon Carey served as a Legal Aid/Legal Services attorney in New York City, Jackson, Detroit and Southfield before coming to his current role with the Kinship Care Resource Center. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and the Michigan State University School Of Social Work.