Fostering Families Today September/October Resources
Celebrating Kinship Care Appreciation Month!
To Kinship Caregivers: Thank You
Kinship caregivers often step into their roles without much warning or preparation. They rearrange homes, schedules, finances and sometimes retirement plans because a child they love needs them.
In doing so, they give children something enormously important: the opportunity to remain connected to family, culture, community and a sense of belonging.
During National Kinship Care Month — and throughout the year — we recognize the grandparents, relatives and extended family members who provide children with stability, connection and love.
Kinship Care Resources
Kinship care keeps children connected to the people, relationships, traditions and communities they already know. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, adult siblings, extended family members and close family friends step forward every day to provide children with safe, loving homes when their parents cannot care for them.
For many kinship caregivers, that responsibility arrives unexpectedly — and figuring out benefits, legal arrangements, school enrollment, health care and the child welfare system can feel overwhelming.
Whether you are new to kinship care or have been raising a relative’s child for years, these organizations and resources can help you find information, support and connections.
Understanding Kinship Care
Child Welfare Information Gateway — Kinship Care and the Child Welfare System
A helpful starting point for families who are new to kinship care. This federal resource explains how kinship care works, how relatives may become involved with the child welfare system, different types of kinship arrangements and some of the services that may be available to families.
Generations United — Grandfamilies
Generations United is a national leader in supporting grandfamilies and kinship families. Its resources address the challenges and strengths of relatives raising children and provide information for caregivers, professionals, policymakers and advocates.
Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network
Visit the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network
A national technical assistance center led by Generations United, the Network provides resources and information designed to improve services and supports for kinship and grandfamilies. Families can find information while professionals can access tools for developing stronger kinship-support programs.
Annie E. Casey Foundation — Kinship Care Resources
Explore Kinship Care Resources
The Annie E. Casey Foundation provides research and resources about kinship care, including information about supporting caregivers, keeping children connected with family and improving child welfare policies and practices for kinship families.
Help for Kinship Caregivers
Grandfamilies.org
One of the most useful national resources for grandparents and other relatives raising children. Families can find information about kinship care options, state laws and policies, financial assistance, support services and other issues that frequently affect grandfamilies.
Administration for Community Living — Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Explore Federal Caregiver Resources
The Administration for Community Living provides information and resources for grandparents and other older relatives raising children. Topics include finding services, financial and legal concerns, caregiver support and programs available in communities across the country.
Eldercare Locator
Find Local Services Through Eldercare Locator
For grandparents and other older kinship caregivers, Eldercare Locator can connect families with local Area Agencies on Aging and community programs. These organizations may provide caregiver support, benefits counseling, respite resources, transportation, food assistance and connections to other services.
211
Dial 211 or use the online search to find community services in your area. Depending on where you live, 211 can help locate food assistance, housing resources, child care, health services, counseling, utility assistance and other programs that can help families adjusting to a new caregiving role.
Legal & Financial Resources
Grandfamilies.org — State Laws and Resources
Kinship care laws, benefits and programs vary significantly from state to state. Grandfamilies.org provides state-specific information to help caregivers understand available programs, legal options and financial assistance where they live.
American Bar Association — Center on Children and the Law
Explore ABA Child Welfare Resources
The ABA provides legal resources addressing kinship care, child welfare, guardianship and the rights and responsibilities of caregivers. Its kinship resources can be especially useful when families are trying to understand how different legal arrangements may affect their ability to make decisions for a child.
Child Welfare Information Gateway — Resources for Kinship Caregivers
Explore Child Welfare Resources
Federal information for relatives and kin caring for children, including resources addressing financial assistance, legal considerations, permanency and working with the child welfare system.
Benefits.gov
Search for Government Benefits
Kinship families may qualify for assistance that they do not realize is available. USA.gov provides information about government benefit programs, including food assistance, health coverage, housing assistance and other programs that may help families.
Finding Local Support
Kinship Navigator Programs
Find Kinship Resources Through Child Welfare Information Gateway
Many states operate Kinship Navigator programs specifically to help grandparents, relatives and other kinship caregivers find their way through complicated systems. Navigators may connect families with financial assistance, legal services, support groups, health care, child care, respite care and other community resources.
Grandfamilies.org — State Fact Sheets
Because kinship programs and laws vary by location, the State Fact Sheets are an excellent place to begin looking for help close to home. They provide state-specific information and contacts for programs serving grandparents and other relatives raising children.
211
Not every useful program has “kinship” in its name. 211 can help caregivers find local food, housing, child care, transportation, counseling, health and family-support programs that may provide assistance.
Support for Children & Families
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Explore Resources for Families
Beyond its kinship-specific information, Child Welfare Information Gateway offers resources addressing trauma, family relationships, permanency, foster care, adoption and helping children and families navigate involvement with the child welfare system.
Center for Parent Information and Resources
Children being raised by relatives may also have developmental, learning or behavioral support needs. Parent Training and Information Centers help families understand special education services and advocate for children with disabilities from birth through age 26.
National Family Caregiver Support Program
The National Family Caregiver Support Program helps fund services for family caregivers, including grandparents and other relatives age 55 and older who are raising children. Available services can include information, assistance accessing programs, counseling, support groups, training and respite care.
September Is National Kinship Care Month
Generations United — National Kinship Care Month
Celebrate National Kinship Care Month
Each September, National Kinship Care Month recognizes the grandparents, relatives and other kin who step forward to care for children when their parents cannot. Generations United provides information and a digital media toolkit to help organizations and communities celebrate kinship families and raise awareness about the support they need.
NFPA Training Institute Sessions on the topic of Kinship Care & supporting these important Caregivers.
September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month
What is FASD?
From the FASDUnited.org website:
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) are a group of diagnosable medical conditions that can occur in a person who was exposed to alcohol before birth.
Effects are lifelong and can include mental health conditions, learning disabilities, sensory issues, and physical manifestations such as heart defects, hearing, visual impairments, and more.
FASDUnited is hosting National FASD Impact Week September 27 – 30th in Washington, DC., and will be working with the National Foster Parent Association on our ‘Together for Impact‘ conference in Crystal City, VA.
NFPA Training Institute Sessions on the topic of FASD.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Resources
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are a group of lifelong conditions associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. FASD can affect learning, memory, attention, communication, emotional regulation, behavior and everyday life in different ways.
For foster, adoptive and kinship families, understanding how FASD affects the brain can be an important step toward understanding a child’s needs. The resources below offer reliable information, practical strategies and connections to organizations that support individuals with FASD and the people who care for them.
Understanding FASD
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — About FASD
Learn About FASD at the CDC
A good place to begin. The CDC provides an easy-to-understand overview of FASD, including possible signs and symptoms, how prenatal alcohol exposure can affect development, diagnosis and what families can do when they have concerns.
CDC — FASD Resources
Explore CDC FASD Resources
A collection of trusted FASD resources for families, educators and professionals. The page includes information about early intervention, developmental services, educational resources and organizations that provide additional FASD support.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) — Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Explore NIAAA FASD Information
For families who want to dig a little deeper into the science, NIAAA provides research-based information about prenatal alcohol exposure, FASD and ongoing research into prevention, identification and treatment.
CanFASD — Canada FASD Research Network
Explore CanFASD Resources
Although based in Canada, CanFASD offers an extensive collection of research-based information useful to families anywhere. Resources address FASD across the lifespan and help explain how brain differences can affect behavior, learning and daily life.
Help for Parents & Caregivers
FASD United
Visit FASD United
FASD United is one of the leading national organizations dedicated to FASD. Families can find educational materials, advocacy resources, webinars, support information and connections to FASD-informed services throughout the United States.
FASD United — Family Navigator
Connect with the FASD Family Navigator
Families don’t have to figure everything out on their own. The FASD Family Navigator offers individuals, parents and caregivers confidential support and help locating FASD-informed resources and services. The service is free and does not require a referral.
FASD United — Resource Directory
Search the FASD Resource Directory
Finding professionals who truly understand FASD can be challenging. FASD United’s searchable directory helps families locate organizations, programs and resources that may be available nationally or in their area.
Proof Alliance
Visit Proof Alliance
Proof Alliance provides practical, family-centered information about living with FASD. Its resources include caregiver education, training, support programs and strategies for understanding and responding to FASD-related challenges.
Proof Alliance — Resources for Caregivers
Explore Proof Alliance Caregiver Resources
Especially useful for foster, adoptive and kinship caregivers, this collection addresses everyday issues such as behavior, routines, school advocacy and supporting a child whose brain processes information differently.
CanFASD — Information for Caregivers
Explore CanFASD Caregiver Resources
A substantial collection of information for parents and caregivers supporting children, teens and adults with FASD. Resources include practical guidance as well as information about diagnosis, interventions and navigating different stages of life.
School & Education Resources
CDC — Resources for Educators
Find FASD Education Resources at the CDC
The CDC’s resource collection includes tools specifically for teachers and school professionals. Families may also find these materials helpful when explaining a child’s needs to teachers or working with a school to develop appropriate supports.
FASD United — Education Resources
Explore FASD United
FASD United provides resources designed to help educators understand why students with FASD may learn, remember, communicate or respond differently. These resources can also help parents and caregivers advocate for brain-based rather than behavior-based approaches at school.
Proof Alliance — Education and School Resources
Explore Proof Alliance Resources
Proof Alliance offers information to help caregivers and educators better support students with FASD, including strategies for classroom success and resources that can help families prepare for conversations about educational accommodations and support.
CDC — Treatment and Educational Support
Learn About FASD Treatment and Support
The CDC explains why appropriate special education and social services can be important protective factors for children with FASD. The site also discusses early intervention and the value of educational approaches designed around a child’s individual learning needs.
Finding Diagnosis & Professional Support
CDC — Diagnosis and Next Steps
Learn About FASD Diagnosis
Diagnosing FASD can be complicated, and there is no single blood test or medical test that can confirm it. The CDC explains what professionals consider during an FASD assessment and offers guidance for families who are concerned about a child.
FASD United — Family Navigator
Ask the FASD Family Navigator for Help
A particularly valuable resource when a family doesn’t know where to begin. Navigators can help individuals and caregivers locate FASD-informed professionals, diagnostic resources and other appropriate services.
FASD United — Resource Directory
Search for FASD Resources and Services
Because FASD-informed diagnostic and clinical services can be difficult to locate, FASD United maintains a directory of resources and encourages families who cannot find appropriate services to contact its Family Navigator program.
American Academy of Pediatrics — Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Explore AAP FASD Resources
The American Academy of Pediatrics provides information and resources for pediatricians and other healthcare professionals caring for children affected by prenatal alcohol exposure. This can also be a helpful resource for families who want to better understand the medical approach to screening, referral and ongoing care.