Kinship Care vs Foster Care in Alberta: Key Differences

The Core Distinction

Both kinship care and foster care in Alberta are formal placements managed by Children and Family Services under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act (CYFEA). In both, the child is in the care of the Director — under a Temporary Guardianship Order, Permanent Guardianship Agreement, or Permanent Guardianship Order.

The difference is who the caregiver is. In kinship care, the child is placed with a relative or someone who has a significant relationship with the child. In foster care, the child is placed with an approved caregiver who has no prior relationship with the child.

Payment Rates

Kinship and foster caregivers receive the same basic maintenance per diems. As of April 1, 2026:

• Ages 0–1: $26.00/day
• Ages 6–8: $28.99/day
• Ages 12–15: $34.69/day
• Ages 16–17: $39.66/day

Both types of caregivers also receive the automatic babysitting relief allowance ($2.82/day per child), recreation allowances, and camp fee coverage at the same rates.

Where the rates diverge is in additional allowances. Foster caregivers may receive a level-of-care loading for children with complex behavioural or medical needs. Kinship caregivers can also receive these, but the process and assessment may differ depending on the regional CFS office.

Approval and Training

Foster caregivers go through a formal licensing process that includes pre-service training (PRIDE or equivalent), criminal record checks, home safety inspections, reference checks, and ongoing training requirements. The process takes several months.

Kinship caregivers go through an expedited assessment. Because the child already has a relationship with the caregiver, CFS can approve a kinship placement more quickly — sometimes within days in urgent situations. A home assessment and background check are still required, but the pre-service training requirements are lighter.

The Kinship Initial Placement Allowance (KIPA) of up to $900 is available to kinship caregivers specifically to cover immediate setup costs when a child arrives quickly.

The Child's Legal Status

In both arrangements, the child remains in government care. The caregiver does not have independent legal guardianship — the Director retains authority. This means the caregiver cannot claim the Canada Child Benefit or the Alberta Child and Family Benefit; the government claims the federal Children's Special Allowances instead.

The path out of government care is the same for both: a Private Guardianship Order transfers legal authority to the caregiver and may qualify them for the Supports for Permanency program if the child was previously under a PGO or PGA. Basic maintenance is subject to SFP income rules. The caregiver can then claim federal benefits if otherwise eligible.

Which Is Better for Relatives?

If Children and Family Services is involved and the child needs to be placed, kinship care is the default preference in Alberta policy — the province looks for relatives first. You do not choose kinship care over foster care in the way you choose between products. The type of placement follows from your relationship with the child.

What you can choose is whether to pursue a Private Guardianship Order to move the child out of government care and into your permanent legal custody. The financial implications of that transition are significant.

The Alberta kinship financial help guide breaks down the finances at every stage — from first placement through to private guardianship — so you know exactly what to expect.

See more Alberta guides →