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.

ABA Journal Children and the Law Article Series highlighting advocate support for kinship care and the use of shadow foster care systems to place children with kin outside of child welfare. August 2023. 

Information memorandum summarizing the final rule released on 9/28/23 that allows states to adopt separate licensing standards for relative or kinship foster family homes.

Information memorandum describing notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) about ensuring safe and appropriate placements for LGBTQ+ youth in foster care. The full NPRM includes language stating: "We note that a title IV–E agency shall consider giving preference to an adult relative over a non-related caregiver when determining an out-of-home placement for a child, provided that the relative caregiver meets all relevant state or tribal child protection standards (section 471(a)(19) of the Act). HHS invites public comment on how agencies can best comply with the requirements of this proposed rule and prioritize placements with kinship caregivers. In particular, HHS invites public comment on what resources agencies may need from HHS to support kinship caregivers in caring for an LGBTQI+ child.” The rule was finalized on April 30, 2024, and was planned to go into effect on July 1, 2024, but implementation has been stalled by ongoing litigation about the rule's legality.