Navigasyon fanmi: Ki jan yo jwenn sipò ak simonte defi
Kinship care provides stability, safety, and support for children in a familiar environment. In Maryland, kinship navigation services can help families access benefits and support and manage any challenges.
How does kinship work?
Many families are kinship caregivers and don't even know it, because it was at the request of the parent due to a serious hardship. So, it's an informal and temporary arrangement.
Kinship caregivers provide 24/7 care in the home of a relative or family by choice (non-relative). This keeps kids connected to their culture and community.
The child may be placed in a caregiver's home:
- at the request of the local Department of Social Services oswa
- through an informal request from the child’s parent if they encounter a serious hardship
Kinship caregivers partner with the child and their biological parent.
That new relationship can challenge family dynamics and impact the child, parent, and the caregiver's family.
While the 24/7 care is supposed to be temporary, sometimes the kinship caregiver becomes part of the permanent solution by adopting the child or becoming their legal guardian.
Kinship navigators can help caregivers navigate the process and connect them to available resources and benefits. Nationally, kinship caregivers underutilize available benefits, often because they don't know they are a kinship caregiver or that resources and benefits exist.
Kinship Navigation Help
Kinship navigators are available to help families navigate assistance programs.
You can dial 211 and get connected to a kinship navigator. They are knowledgeable about kinship benefits and community resources that can offer support.
The child may be eligible for:
- Temporary Cash Assistance/Child Only Grant
- food stamps/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- child care
- asirans sante
- asistans sèvis piblik
- Social Security benefits
Learn about each of these benefit programs in 211's Kinship 101 Guide.
Get supportive text messages
211 Maryland ak Depatman Sèvis Imen Maryland tou voye mesaj tèks konekte granparan ak fanmi yo ak resous ak sipò.
MDKinCare bay:
- Aksè fasil pou enfòmasyon ak resous kominote yo.
- Mesaj ankourajan
Tèks MDKinCares nan 898-211.
211 Maryland ofri pwogram alèt mesaj tèks ki bay enfòmasyon sou resous espesifik rejyon yo oswa bay alèt pou katastwòf. Tèks STOP nan menm nimewo a pou dezabòne. Tèm konplè SMS nan https://211md.org/sms/ pral aplike tou.
Learn from other kinship families
Trina Townsend cared for her niece and nephew when they were teenagers. She thought of herself as an "aunt" before learning about the available benefits.
Trina Townsend, now the Kinship Program Specialist, joined the “What’s the 211?” podcast to discuss what it's like to be a kinship provider.
She went from being a single-parent family of two to a family of five. She remembers the challenges and concerns, hoping she could financially care for the children while also supporting their needs and those of her sister.
Now educating families and connecting them to support, Trina is a resource for all kinship families.
Information for Kinship Families
211 Maryland can connect kinship families to information and resources to address essential needs. Dial 211 to talk with someone.
Community Resources for Kinship Caregivers
Kinship caregivers keep children connected to family and culture, so it can be a very positive experience. Connect with resources and support to navigate kinship.
Community organizations throughout Maryland are available to help.
Virtual and Home Visits
In Prince George’s County, you can contact the Sant Lavi Pwogresis, a private care organization that provides kinship support. Virtual and home visits are available for emotional support, guidance, and they also provide access to counseling and financial assistance.
Video training
La Sant Kolaboratif pou Bati Kapasite pou Byennèt Timoun video series helps families learn from others who have overcome kinship challenges for the benefit and well-being of the child.
La Annie E. Casey Foundation offers a training series with tips to help with feelings of loss and ambivalence when a relative comes to live with you. The training series also tackles important themes like guilt, hope, and denial.
Plasman pèmanan
While kinship care is temporary, the placement with a kinship caregiver can last longer than expected. Kinship caregivers should plan for that possibility.
Local kinship navigator can also help to find a path forward, temporarily and permanently, for the child.
If the child is in foster care, the Department of Social Services will work to find a permanent solution. If the child can’t return to their biological parents, the kinship caregiver can become the permanent legal guardian through adoption, legal custody, or guardianship.
Rele 211
Pale ak yon moun ki gen sousi pou ou epi ki gen konpasyon 24 sou 24, 7 jou sou 7. Yo kapab tou mete ou an kontak ak resous.
Navigating Challenges: Family Dynamics
Depending on the circumstances leading up to the temporary living arrangement, kinship may challenge family dynamics.
This can include the child, kinship caregiver, and biological parent(s).
- The child may need support managing stress or help to heal from trauma.
- The living arrangement can interrupt the caregiver’s plans, priorities, and privacy.
- Paran yo ak moun k ap bay swen yo ka oblije konfwonte santiman difisil tankou koupab, wont, kòlè, defyans, resantiman, ak pèt.
It can also erode trust within the family. The biological parent may have to earn back the relative’s trust to once again care for the child.
Both the parent and kinship caregiver may also find it challenging to respect boundaries, as these are new or have changed.
The caregiver should help the parent find the support they need to heal, with the ultimate goal of returning the child to the parent’s care when possible.
What can you do?
As the kinship caregiver, you should be prepared to help the parent get the therapy, counseling, or support they need.
Yo ankouraje paran an ak moun k ap pran swen fanmi an pou yo:
- Koute epi sipòte youn lòt.
- Ou dwe onèt sou bezwen ak enkyetid.
- Montre senpati youn anvè defi lòt.
- Rekonèt difikilte pou tout moun ki enplike.
Also, dial 211 and talk to a trained professional who can help connect you to kinship resources and community support.
Other Resources for Kinship Families
Maryland Kinship Care 101: Ki sa li ye ak kijan li ede
Caring for a relative’s child or family by choice (non-relative) makes a difference! Even if it’s an informal arrangement, this 24/7 care is kinship care…
Sipò pou Timoun ak Fanmi
Together, we can help Maryland’s children thrive! Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, caregiver, or kinship family, 211 is here to connect you to community supports.…
Kijan Maryland WIC ede fanm, tibebe ak timoun ak manje
WIC bay koupon manje pou manman ki kalifye pou vin manman, nouvo manman k ap bay tete, ak timoun ki gen jiska 5 an. Aprann sou kalifikasyon epi konekte ak...
Maryland’s Guide to Free Food
Increasing food costs and the federal shutdown are stretching food budgets for families and individuals, and we’re here to help you learn about food assistance…
Koupon pou Manje Maryland/Pwogram Asistans Nitrisyon Siplemantè (SNAP)
Koupon Manje Pwogram Asistans Nitrisyonèl Siplemantè (SNAP), ke yo te konnen anvan kòm koupon manje, bay asistans finansyè pou fanmi ki gen ti revni pou yo ka achte manje. Pou...
Kan Lete, Pwogram ak Sipò Manje pou Timoun yo
Èske w ap mande tèt ou kijan pou w kenbe pitit ou okipe pandan vakans ete a? Gen pwogram lwazi gratis oswa a pri abòdab ki disponib nan...
Jwenn Resous Kounye a
Jwenn resous kominotè yo pou manje, swen sante, lojman ak plis ankò nan baz done nou an. Chèche pa kòd postal.
eksplore pwogram asistans yo
Aprann plis sou pwogram benefis yo ak kijan pou kontakte sipò.
Manje
Manje gratis tou pre mwen, gadmanje, SNAP, WIC, ekonomi sou makèt.
Lojman
Peman lwaye, prevansyon ekspilsyon, abri pou moun ki san kay.
Sèvis piblik yo
Pwogram asistans pou bòdwo elektrisite, gaz ak dlo.
Imigrasyon
Èd imigrasyon pou nouvo Ameriken ak refijye yo
eksplore pwogram asistans yo
Aprann plis sou pwogram benefis yo ak kijan pou kontakte sipò.
Manje
Manje gratis tou pre mwen, gadmanje, SNAP, WIC, ekonomi sou makèt
Sèvis piblik yo
Pwogram asistans pou bòdwo elektrisite, gaz ak dlo
Lojman
Peman lwaye, prevansyon ekspilsyon, abri pou moun ki san kay
Imigrasyon
Èd imigrasyon pou nouvo Ameriken ak refijye yo
