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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.

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 Voices of Lived Experience Stories
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Listen to a foster care advocate’s mental health journey.

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This video highlights the work of the Deputy Commissioner of the New York foster care system and the kinship care strategies her agency implements.

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Listen to a youth support partner tell her story of living in kinship care with her grandmother and being reunified with her mother.

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Underscores the importance of community connections and ongoing supports to child and family well-being. In this set of digital stories, a grandmother, Joan, promotes the idea of “surround-sound parenting” for her adopted grandson, Chad.