Resources for Kinship Caregivers

When a child arrives in your home unexpectedly, you are asked to make life-changing decisions with very little support. You may be navigating courts, schools, healthcare, and financial strain while trying to provide stability for a child who has been through trauma.

You should not have to figure this out alone.

High Country Caregivers partners with trusted agencies across the region to help caregivers access the services they need. The list below includes organizations that support families with housing, mental wellness, food access, child services, healthcare, legal needs, and emergency assistance.  These resources are here to guide you through the systems that can feel overwhelming.

Regional Resources

Available throughout the High Country

Supports families with rental assistance, housing counseling, and affordable housing programs.

Helps uninsured individuals access medications they cannot afford. Provides referrals to additional assistance programs and offers Medicare counseling when needed.

Offers financial help with heating costs for eligible families based on household income and need.

Provides mental health treatment, substance use services, school-based therapy, mobile crisis support, and intensive in-home care.

Supports families with rental assistance, housing counseling, and affordable housing programs.

Helps uninsured individuals access medications they cannot afford. Provides referrals to additional assistance programs and offers Medicare counseling when needed.

Offers financial help with heating costs for eligible families based on household income and need.

Provides mental health treatment, substance use services, school-based therapy, mobile crisis support, and intensive in-home care.

Resources by County

Some services depend on your County of residence.
Select your County to see local agencies and support options. 

Avery

Provides adult healthcare, dental care, public health services, food assistance, child healthcare, and family planning services.

Avery

Provides healthcare for low income, uninsured residents in this county dealing with chronic medical problems.

Mitchell

Helps uninsured individuals access medications they cannot afford. Provides referrals to additional assistance programs and offers Medicare counseling when needed.

Mitchell

Provides primary care for adults and children, behavioral health services, case management, and OB/pregnancy care. Reduced price diaper program for qualifying families. Sliding scale fees dependent upon household income. Phone: 828-688-2104

Mitchell

Provides adult healthcare, dental care, public health services, food assistance, child healthcare, family planning services, and more. Phone: 828-688-2371

Watauga

Provides weatherization assistance and heating appliance repair/replacement to reduce heating and cooling costs. Eligibility is based on household income.

Watauga

Supports families with rental assistance, housing counseling, and affordable housing programs.

Watauga

Offers financial help with heating costs for eligible families based on household income and need.

Wilkes

Provides adult healthcare, dental care, public health services, food assistance, child healthcare, family planning services, case management, substance abuse services, and more. Phone: 336-651-7450

Wilkes

Provides assistance with devices and communication. Phone: 336-651-7822

Wilkes

Provides prescription drug assistance programs for low-income residents of Wilkes County. Phone: 336-667-3259

Information for
New Caregivers

Information for New Caregivers

If you recently became a kinship caregiver, start here. These guides help you understand your rights, available support, and immediate steps to take. 

Learn what kinship care means, who qualifies, and why placing children with relatives creates safer and more stable homes.

Find answers to common questions about guardianship, financial assistance, school enrollment, and navigating DSS.

A step-by-step guide to help you stay organized as you manage legal, medical, educational, and practical needs during your first weeks of caregiving.

We’re Here to Help

Kinship caregiving is an act of courage and love. These resources are here to support you, and our team is here to walk with you through every stage of the journey.

If you need additional help or cannot find what you are looking for, reach out.
We are here for you.

Kinship caregiving is an act of courage and love. These resources are here to support you, and our team is here to walk with you through every stage of the journey.

If you need additional help or cannot find what you are looking for, reach out. We are here for you.