Kinship Care is defined as any relative or non-relative caregiver. Non-relative caregivers are adults, not related by blood, who are providing full-time care for a child who cannot safely live with his or her parents. Examples of non-relative caregivers include, but are not limited to: family friends, neighbors, a child’s teacher, faith community members, etc.
Being placed with a Kinship Caregiver enables the child to reside within their local community and with people whom they are familiar with and often times already possess a strong bond.
Kinship Caregiver Support
Brevard Family Partnership is committed to supporting Kinship caregivers and has developed the following supports for all Kinship Caregivers:
The Kinship Support Group is a monthly get-together for all Kinship Caregivers. This is a great place to get information and emotional support. Topics you can learn about include: legal, financial and emotional aspects of being a Kinship Caregiver and for the child, being cared for by a Kinship Caregiver. Perhaps most important is that Kinship caregivers can get emotional support and a sympathetic ear of other Kinship Caregivers. This get-together is held on the last Tuesday of every month at 6:30 PM at CBC of Brevard, 1636 Fiske Blvd, Rockledge, FL.
The Kinship Navigator Program is in partnership with The University of South Florida and Magellan Health Services. Kinship Caregivers, whose relative or non-relative children are involved in an open dependency case can receive support and information designed specifically to meet the unique needs of a Kinship Caregiver. Usually within days of the Dependency Court placing a child in a Kinship Caregivers home, the Kinship Navigator will call to offer emotional support, a sympathetic ear and whatever information is required to help the Kinship Caregiver provide the best care possible for the children placed in their home.
Kinship Caregiver Publications help caregivers find information and support. Click the links below to view available publications.
Kinship Policy Alert - Released November 1, 2011