Honoring and Supporting Kinship Families
September marks Kinship Care Awareness Month, a time to recognize and support kinship families who step in to care for their relatives' children when parents are unable to do so. According to recent research from Generations United, youth fare much better in kinship care than non-relative foster care. Improved outcomes include increased stability and permanency, behavioral and mental health outcomes, feelings of belonging, the likelihood of living with siblings, and preservation of cultural identity and connections to their communities and families. Oftentimes, kinship families do not receive adequate support to navigate systems or access resources for the youth in their care; however, when families do receive such support, they experience greater outcomes.
At SAFY, we support kinship families through foster care and other programming. SAFY of Indiana is committed to offering vital services by implementing its Kinship Support Program, providing essential support and resources to kinship families in Southern Indiana. One inspiring story at SAFY of Indiana involves a dedicated grandfather in his late 50s who welcomed his youngest granddaughter into his home after she was exposed to substances in utero and was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. Despite initial uncertainties and challenges in providing the necessary care, this grandfather chose to retire early, putting his granddaughter's needs above everything else.
In the beginning, he faced the daunting task of comforting a baby with severe withdrawal symptoms, feeling unsure about his abilities as a caregiver, and dealing with his own fears and anxieties about the experience. To aid in this transition, Amanda Florence, Lead Case Manager from SAFY of Indiana’s Kinship Support Program, stepped in to guide and support him. Amanda played a pivotal role in helping the grandfather learn about the diagnoses and integrating caregiving instructions prescribed by the baby’s pediatrician, alleviating the grandfather’s concerns and uncertainties. She also connected him with vital community resources such as WIC, First Steps, and insurance enrollment assistance, ensuring the family had access to the necessary support. She also helped the grandfather learn how to use a computer and attend his first virtual Teams meeting and supported him during meetings with the Dept. of Child Services.
Emotional support and crisis intervention were equally important aspects of Amanda’s assistance. She continually reassured the grandfather that the baby’s symptoms resulted from drug exposure, not his perceived inadequacies. With Amanda’s help, the grandfather gradually re-engaged with his support network, overcoming his initial feelings of isolation and regaining confidence in his caregiving role.
Amanda reports that the baby is thriving today and “is now on the growth chart for her size and weight.” The grandfather has an informal support network and access to resources. Amanda added, "he is now interested in becoming a foster parent through SAFY and is interested in taking custody of one of his other granddaughters who was placed elsewhere in care.” This success story showcases the impact of dedicated case managers and programs like the Kinship Support Program in empowering kinship families, providing them with the necessary tools and support to thrive in their caregiving roles. It also reinforces research that suggests youth fare better when placed with kin and when kin have appropriate support.
To learn more about Kinship Care and explore available resources, please visit the Annie E. Casey Foundation here, Child Welfare League of America here, and the Children's Bureau Capacity Building Collaborative here.
