Glossary of Terms

Virginia Legal & Social Services Context

• Kinship Care
  Defined under § 63.2‑100 of the Code of Virginia as “the full‑time care, nurturing, and protection of a child by a relative.” This may involve grandparents or other family members raising a child when the parents cannot (apps.dlas.virginia.gov).
• Relative/Kin
  The definition of “relative” in Virginia varies depending on the program but generally includes: birth or adoptive siblings, stepparents, step-siblings, uncles, aunts, first cousins, nieces, nephews, and relatives by half‑blood or marriage, as well as those bearing "grand" or "great" prefixes. (apps.dlas.virginia.gov)
  The Code also allows the term to be interpreted broadly to include anyone with a significant existing relationship to the child (vcoy.virginia.gov).
• Close Relative Placement
  Under Virginia law (VA. CODE § 63.2‑1242.1), a close relative may include:
  • Grandparents or great-grandparents,
  • Adult nephews or nieces,
  • Adult siblings,
  • Adult uncles or aunts,
  • Adult great-uncles or great-aunts (apps.dlas.virginia.gov).

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Educational & School-Related Terms

• Caretaker Authorization Affidavit
  A sworn statement affirming that the caregiver is responsible for a child and may include the authority to approve healthcare or school decisions on the child’s behalf (Institute of Education Sciences).

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Broader Kinship Terminology (Anthropology & General Understanding)

• Affinity / Affinal Relatives
  Relationships established by marriage rather than by blood. For example, a spouse’s relatives. (Anthropology)
• Consanguinity / Consanguineal Relatives
  Refers to blood relations—relatives connected by shared lineage, such as parents, siblings, children. (Referenced by contrast with “affinity.”) (Anthropology)
• Collateral Kin
  Relatives not in the direct line of descent, e.g., aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. These are distinct from lineal kin (direct ancestors or descendants) (Wikipedia).
• Lineal Descent
  This refers to direct ancestry or descent—e.g., parent, grandparent, child, grandchild. (Wikipedia)
• Lineage
  A descent group traced through one line (either maternal or paternal). This includes matrilineages (through the mother), patrilineages (through the father), or ambilineal (both) (Wikipedia).
• Clan
  A broader kinship group whose members trace their origin to a shared ancestor—often without knowing the exact genealogical link. Unilineal in many traditions. (Anthropology)
• Moiety
  An anthropological term for a descent group where society is split into two halves (moieties) with exogamous marriage—common in certain Indigenous cultures. (Wikipedia)

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Quick Reference Table

Term	Definition / Context
Kinship Care	Full-time care of a child by a relative, per Virginia Code § 63.2-100
Relative / Kin	Includes siblings, cousins, aunts/uncles, etc.; broader in some contexts
Close Relative Placement	Legal adoption by grandparent, aunt/uncle, sibling, or their adult equivalents
Caretaker Authorization Affidavit	Allows caregivers to make school or medical decisions for a child
Affinity / Affinal Relative	Relationship by marriage (e.g., in-laws)
Consanguinity / Consanguineal	Relationship by blood
Collateral Kin	Non-direct relatives (e.g., cousins, nieces, etc.)
Lineal Descent	Direct lineage (e.g., parent → child)
Lineage	Group traced through one line of descent
Clan	Kinship group tracing back to a common ancestor; broader than specific lineage
Moiety	Society divided into two intermarrying groups based on descent