As used in sections 5180.51 to 5180.514 of the Revised Code, "kinship caregiver" means any of the following who is eighteen years of age or older and is caring for a child in place of the child's parents:

1. (A) The following individuals related by blood or adoption to the child:

   1. (1) Grandparents, including grandparents with the prefix "great," "great-great," or "great-great-great";
   2. (2) Siblings;
   3. (3) Aunts, uncles, nephews, and nieces, including such relatives with the prefix "great," "great-great," "grand," or "great-grand";
   4. (4) First cousins and first cousins once removed.
2. (B) Stepparents and stepsiblings of the child;
3. (C) Spouses and former spouses of individuals named in divisions (A) and (B) of this section;
4. (D) A legal guardian of the child;
5. (E) A legal custodian of the child;
6. (F) Any nonrelative adult that has a familiar and long-standing relationship or bond with the child or the family, which relationship or bond will ensure the child's social ties.

Last updated October 3, 2025 at 9:30 AM