Kinship navigator programs are designed to assist kin caregivers-grandparents, other relatives, and close family friends who raise children when their parents cannot – in navigating the many systems that impact them, including education, housing, and health care. These programs link caregivers to supports that help their kinship family thrive. Kinship navigator programs started over 25 years ago in a handful of states and grew to other parts of the country based on early success, two rounds of limited federal grants, and ongoing federal funding.
Generations United has been working with kinship navigator programs for decades and has been coordinating the nation’s only multi-state kinship navigator program and evaluation. The Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network: A National Technical Assistance Center (Network) at Generations United has been providing technical assistance to kinship navigator programs, new and old, since it was launched. Based on our years of experience, we have compiled this toolkit of best practices to develop or enhance kinship navigator programs. We hope you find it helpful.