Kinship Care

Family image

Are you raising a child of another family member or a family friend?

Then you might be what we refer to as a Kinship Caregiver. Here are two videos that will tell you more about the kinship community and resources available to you.


grandparents and grandchildrenWhat information do you need today?

  • Kinship Navigators, Resource Persons and Support Groups - Find your local contact information for support groups, Kinship Navigators and resource persons who are there to support you and other grandparents and relatives raising children.
  • Benefits and Services - Learn about Kinship Navigators, Financial Help, Child Care, Free or Reduced Price Food, Foster Care Resources for Children with an Intellectual/Developmental Disability, Free Recreational Passes, and more.
  • Health Care - Applying for Children’s Health Coverage, Finding Dental Care, Mental Health Services, Drug and Alcohol Services, Informed Consent for Medical and Mental Health Services, and Resources for Children with Disabilities
  • Legal Issues - Legal options, Legal services, and Child support resources
  • Professionals - For professionals, advocates and relatives raising children; kinship care related legislative, policy and public information documents
  • What’s New - Special events and new resources
  • Kinship Navigator Case Management - Access our research documents for the three pilot-sites, and training videos for the case management pilot
  • Newsletters
  • Publications
  • Kinship Reference Guide Handouts - Statewide resources for caregivers on topics including healthcare, mental health, basic needs, and education

20th Annual Voices of Children AND Kinship Caregivers Contests

Voices of Children and Kinship Caregivers contests image

What are the contests?
The contest honors both, the more than 57,000 children, and the more than 47,000 grandparent & relatives in Washington State who are raising them.

Voices of Children Raised by Grandparents and Other Relatives is a contest for children in Washington State, who are being raised (now or in the past) by a relative – other than their parents.

Voices of Kinship Caregivers is a contest for Kinship caregivers in Washington State, who are raising (now or in the past) a relative child not their own.

How Do You Enter the Contest?
Children: Write a poem, short essay, or draw a picture that describes how living with a relative (such as a Grandparent, Aunt, or Uncle) has made a positive difference in your life.

Caregivers: Write a poem or short essay that describes your positive experiences as a Kinship Caregiver.

Entries will be judged in 4 categories: 5-7 year-olds; 8-12 year-olds; 13-19 year-olds; and Kinship Caregivers

What are the Prizes?
The Two Top Entries in each Child Age Division and the top 3 Adult Entries will receive:
* $100 from Twin Star Credit Union

Applications

English – 2023 Voices of Children and Voices of Kinship Caregivers Application

Spanish – 2023 Voices of Children and Voices of Kinship Caregivers Application

All entries must be submitted or postmarked by April 15, 2023. 

Sponsors: Family Education and Support Services, TwinStar Credit Union, Lewis, Mason and Thurston Area Agency on Aging, DSHS