Our Kinship Navigation program supports caregivers who have taken on the responsibility of caring for their relatives’ children. These children can include the caregiver’s siblings, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren.
We work with local kinship agencies to help caregivers navigate other forms of government assistance, determine their eligibility for available program benefits, and provide technical support with legal commitments to the child.
Program Goals
- Help caregivers “navigate” various forms of government assistance programs.
- Determine if the caregiver’s family is eligible for Kinship Navigator Program benefits such as help with short-term expenses for the relative child, such as furniture, moving expenses and clothing.
- Provide technical support and guide the family through the process of Kinship Legal Guardianship if the caregiver wishes to make a legal commitment to the child.
Support Services
Support services, available through numerous local government and private agencies, include:
- Referrals to grandparenting and family support groups
- Help with medical coverage and services
- Child support collection assistance
- Housing assistance
- Help with legal services and fees
- Help to buy furniture for the child
- Tutoring services for the children in your care
- Help with paying for summer camp for the child
- Financial services
Understanding Kinship Care
Kinship Care is a small word that means a big commitment. When someone decides to take on the responsibility of providing care for a friend or relative’s child, they choose to be the stand in parent without the benefit of a parent’s rights. Being a kinship provider requires a lot of faith, hope, and love for the child in their time of need.
Kinship care keeps children out of foster care and group homes. Remaining with families that love them makes all the difference in their tomorrow. Studies have proven that children raised by families have better long term outcomes. They also have different challenges than kids in traditional home settings.
You are being asked to care for a friend or relative’s child… it is a HUGE responsibility. There are many things to consider before you make the decision to provide care for a child in need. We have prepared this FAQ to get your started.
It is very important you are prepared for your job as a kinship provider as you will be the person this child counts on. Take this quiz to see where you stand.