LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kinship caregivers—grandparents, relatives, and close family friends raising children—play a critical role in creating stability and love when children need it most. At the University of Kentucky College of Social Work, the Kentucky Kinship Resource Center (KKRC) is dedicated to walking alongside these families with care, compassion, and community.
In honor of National Kinship Care Month, we sat down with Sheila Rentfrow, KKRC Program Manager and Allison Pergram-Chambers from the Kinship Navigator Program to talk about the resources available, the importance of kinship care, and their advice for families beginning their journey.
Q: Tell me about the Kinship Navigator Program and what resources can it provide to kinship families?
Rentfrow: The Kinship Navigator program started as a vision to be able to connect with kinship caregivers very early on in their kinship journey when they are first identified by the state as a home for a child that they are either related to or have a significant relationship with. We wanted them to have a face that they could connect with, a person that they could connect with, rather than a website. Someone that could help them understand where they are in their journey, what options they have available to them, and what things might be out there that can help them.
Our goal is not only to support the caregiver, which is so essential, but by supporting them, we’re able to support the family, which leads to a more stable home environment for the child. Rather than trying to navigate that on their own, we started the Navigator program as a way to be able to meet some of those needs.
Q: How do kinship families get connected with their assigned kinship navigator?
Rentfrow: There are nine service regions within the state of Kentucky. In each of those service regions, we have at least one kinship navigator that provides support for that region. They’re able to connect with caregivers easily, simply because they’re in that same area and they become familiar with resources.
How the referral process works is we have an online referral form. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services will refer caregivers that they’re encountering early on in the journey. They’ll make the referral and then the system is set up to automatically forward that referral directly to their e-mail so that the caregiver can log into the portal system. The caregiver can review the information that’s been submitted and then they’ll reach out to that navigator.
Q: How do Kinship Navigators help families get connected to resources at the KKRC?
Pergram-Chambers: When we get a referral and we talk about the family’s needs, we’ll also introduce the KKRC support programs that are available. Part of the information that I send out includes the KY-KINS and KIN-VIP program.
We do a needs assessment of the family, save that, and send that on to make the KY-KINS or KIN-VIP referrals. And once those referrals reach Sheila and her staff, then they contact our families.
Q: What does National Kinship Month mean to you?
Rentfrow: For me, Kinship Month is a chance to honor and shine a spotlight on families who are taking the initiative. They’re taking the responsibility of raising children at a point in their life when they may not have anticipated doing it.
We know the outcomes are best when kids can remain with their family or with people that they know and love. It’s less traumatic. They’re able to adjust, they’re able to make healthier strides, and be able to work through some of the issues that they have been witness to.
Being able to highlight this during National Kinship Month for us at the KKRC is a chance to really put that out there so that not only the rest of the state is aware and understands that Kentucky has such a strong population compared to other states in the country. It’s a chance for us to really honor folks for what they’re doing.
Pergram-Chambers National Kinship Care Month for me is a time to reflect on advocacy and awareness of kinship caregivers in the state. This month, for me especially, is to be able to bring awareness to the kinship caregivers that are in the state and to be able to continue to offer and provide them resources and services to make sure they have a placement where the children are thriving. But also in their communities, where they’re able to maintain those connections with their parents and work towards reunification if that’s the goal.
The Kentucky Kinship Resource Center does an excellent job of keeping that awareness going and making sure those caregivers know that they’re not isolated, they’re not alone.
Q: What advice do you have for caregivers beginning their kinship journey?
Pergram-Chambers: My advice for caregivers is to seek help and not feel isolated—to know that there’s resources and programs and people out there that care about their journey, and every journey through caregiving is unique.
As navigators at the Kentucky Kinship Resource Center, we want to be that support for those caregivers. So, my advice is to ask questions, use your voice, don’t be afraid or worried about how it’s going to reflect on your role as a caregiver. Don’t try to do this journey on your own because we know it’s hard.
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The Kentucky Kinship Resource Center is ensuring that no caregiver has to walk this path alone. By offering connection, care, and community, the KKRC is helping families thrive across the Commonwealth. For more information and to register for support, please visit the KKRC website.