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Capacity Building

CENTER FOR STATES

Kinship care

Explore the stories of grandmothers, aunts, uncles, and family friends as they make life adjustments to step into the role of kinship caregivers. Gain a deeper understanding of the support they need to navigate the child welfare system and negotiate the complex dual roles they play to provide stability and normalcy for the children in their care, some with special needs. Hear from kinship navigators, administrators, case workers, family finders, and peer mentors who help connect children, youth, caregivers, and parents to the support and resources they need.

Find kinship care stories that best meet your needs by selecting filters on the left and use them with activities from the discussion guide to build understanding and connections between people as you advocate, inspire, support, recruit, train, and coach individuals and teams.

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Showing 16 - 20 of 28 Voices of Lived Experience Stories
Video

Morris and Michelle's Story

Demonstrates the dedication and flexibility needed when providing kinship care in order to navigate visitation schedules, foster care certification processes, and permanency proceedings.

Video

Maria's Story

Addresses the challenges that some caregivers face in their dual roles as grandparents and kinship parents and the value of support networks.

Video

Jorge's Story

Demonstrates the life adjustments and rewards of becoming a kinship caregiver. In this video, a caregiver shares his story of what motivated him to become a kinship parent.

Video

Jammie's Story (2018)

Addresses the importance of being open to agency support and resources and the necessity of self-care in working through family transitions and meeting family needs.

Video

Terri's Story

Illustrates the changes parents face when they decide to provide full-time care for their relative children and the benefits of different types of agency support.