What is Kinship Care?
Kinship care is the full-time care, nurturing and protection of children by family members, close family friends, and other adults who have a close family-like relationship with the children. This could include grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, family friends, or members of their tribes or clans.
If you provide full-time care to a relative's child, you are a kinship caregiver.
Serving Your Community
The Kinship Care Resource Center is a community program offered through the School of Social Work at Michigan State University. We work with national, state, regional and local partners, kinship caregivers, and youth in transition to provide support and connection to the best available resources tailored to each unique family’s needs and circumstances.
Supporting the full-time care of children by grandparents, aunts, uncles, adult siblings, godparents, or other adults who have a kin relationship to the child.
PHONE: 1-800-535-1218
EMAIL: kinship@msu.edu
Available by phone Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Michigan State University School of Social Work 655 Auditorium Rd. Rm. 254, Baker Hall Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
kinship.msu.edu
Family is what you make it.
Kinship Care Resource Center is here to help.
Call us at 1-800-535-1218
Our Services
The Kinship Care Resource Center (KCRC) offers:
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Individualized support.
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Information and referrals to services and resources.
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Education and outreach.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
At the KCRC, we share information and tools to help you and your family for the long-term. We offer regular training sessions, workshops and other events for kinship caregivers, service providers, policymakers, and others to learn more about the resources available to kinship caregivers.
WHAT WE KNOW
Kinship caregivers face many challenges, including strained family relationships, financial worries, affording health care and utilities, navigating school systems, and parenting children who have experienced trauma or disruption. We exist to get caregivers relief.
HOW WE PROVIDE SERVICES
Families can call kinship navigators toll-free at 800-535-1218. They have personal experience with kinship care and answer the calls to learn about your needs. You choose how much you share and how you want to be supported. Families find a listening ear, respect for their individual requests and referrals that best match their family values and needs.
SUPPORT GROUP INFORMATION
Kinship care support groups (sometimes combined with foster care, adoption, or Grandparents Raising Grandchildren groups) provide an opportunity for caregivers to find support and share their experiences with other caregivers. Find a full contact list of support groups across the state and a calendar with their meeting information on our website, kinship.msu.edu.
Why Kinship Care Matters
Comfort, familiarity, family — that’s what kinship care gives a child. Growing up under the care of a relative or close family friend offers a sense of stability and the chance for children to stay connected to their heritage, culture and history.
Give us a call
Whether you’re new to the kinship caregiving process, have been a caregiver for years, or just want to learn more, give us a call. Our Kinship Navigators would love to explore how we can help the children in your care continue to thrive.
1-800-535-1218 | kinship.msu.edu
Available by phone Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM