Support

Review the Kinship Care: Relatives and Suitable Others publication for what to expect when you begin your kinship caregiving journey. 

Alliance Caregiver Retention, Education, and Support (CaRES)

CaRES helps kinship caregivers understand the licensing process and provides ongoing support through mentorship, trainings, support groups, and events. They can help connect you to local resources and your local Kinship Navigator. Connect with CaRES for help understanding the complex child welfare and court system, managing challenging behaviors, and partnering with others to support children and youth experiencing foster care.

Caregiver Supports

Caregiver Supports are for all caregivers who take care of DCYF children or youth. This includes relatives and kin. These services are offered by local providers based on where the caregiver lives. Caregivers will hear from their Caregiver Support Services provider as soon as a child or youth is placed in their home. The type and level of support each caregiver gets is based on the child’s documented Caregiver Supports Resource Level. The level is decided on when a child or youth enters foster care.

For more information visit the Caregiver Support Project page or email dcyf.caregiversupports@dcyf.wa.gov.

Kinship Navigator Program

The Kinship Navigator (KN) program is run by the Department of Social and Health Services Aging and Long-Term Support Administration. Navigators are knowledgeable about local resources for kinship caregivers, as well as helping them navigate different state agencies. Support groups are another feature of the KN program.