Children’s Home Network established its Kinship Navigation program in 2000 to offer much-needed support to relatives and non-relatives who become caregivers to children when parents are unable or unwilling to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children.

LOVING FAMILIES HELP CHILDREN HEAL AND THRIVE

A national leader in innovative programs serving children and families, CHN created Kinship so rather than having a child who has experienced trauma enter the foster care system, they can be cared for by a loving family member or friend of the family. These family caregiving arrangements are proven to have a life-changing positive impact. Children have the opportunity to thrive by maintaining their family culture, habits and, very importantly, familial connections which are crucial to each child’s healing. When children live in a safe environment with a relative and/or non-relative this also helps to improve child safety and prevents cases of child abuse and neglect.

For many of these caregivers – who range from grandparents, aunts, uncles and adult siblings, to godparents, close family friends, neighbors and teachers – suddenly finding themselves as full-time caregivers can be overwhelming. In many cases, resources are limited and some children may require specialized care.

By providing access to needed services, which may include financial and legal assistance, basic needs such as food and clothing, or more intensive services such as medical, behavioral, emotional or therapeutic counseling, CHN Kinship helps to alleviate the burden on caregivers, ultimately reducing stress and promoting family stability.

Kinship services include:

In-home visits
Advocacy, linkage and referral to community resources
Monthly caregiver support groups
Recreational activities and social gatherings
Monthly caregiver newsletter
Bi-lingual services and supports

Who We Can Help

Full-time Relative Caregivers such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, or adult siblings.
Full-time Non-Relative Caregivers such as godparents, family friend, teachers or neighbors.
Caregivers raising children ages birth-17 in Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas and Seminole Counties.

How to Make a Referral

Making a referral, or requesting assistance from CHN Kinship can be done with a phone call.

Contact our Kinship Referral Intake Line at 1.888.920.8761, Monday-Friday (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM)

Our Intake Coordinator will contact you to schedule a home visit to determine your needs.

If you are aware of a full-time relative/non-relative caregiver who could benefit from Kinship Services, please tell them about this no-cost service.

Impact of Kinship Services:

99% placement stability of children resulting in the prevention of further abuse and entry into the formal foster care system. Children remain stable with their relative/non-relative after services are completed.
99% prevention of child abuse and neglect.
More than 5,000 families served by Kinship since the program inception

Your generosity allows us to have a positive impact on children and families. We welcome donations and our primary needs include financial assistance, food, clothing, hygiene supplies, and diapers.

View a list of our “Frequently Needed Items”

Learn more about how you can help the Children’s Home Network please click here.

CHN’s Kinship programming is recognized as a national leader in innovative programs and services in the field of child and family well-being.

To learn more about the Children’s Home Network Kinship System of Care and Evidence Based Kinship Navigation Program, including:

· CHN Kinship System of Care

· Description of our evidenced based Kinship Navigator model and innovative practices,

· Evidence behind the model and results that make an impact on communities,

· Published research articles, KIN-Tech final evaluation report, abstracts and resources

· Core components of the Navigator Manual

Please visit our dedicated website for professionals at: https://mykinship.org.

It's not uncommon to find yourself caring for your relatives' children, but most do so with little formal help. Sadly, that lack of assistance may lead to family stress that impacts the entire family.

Kinship is a program available to family members caring for a relative's child(ren) in Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, and Seminole Counties. It helps families connect to necessary services, expand family support systems, and reduce stress to promote family stability.

The referral process is simple: Call the Kinship Intake Line at 1 (888) 920-8761 to participate. A Family Support Coordinator will contact you to schedule a thorough in-home assessment to determine your needs. In-home services are available.

Support Groups

Monthly support groups are available to help relative caregivers with similar experiences make new connections with other caregivers and increase their social support.

All families are invited to participate in these recreational activities and social outings. Relative caregivers and children can attend. For more information, call the contact person below, check out the current Pinellas monthly newsletter, Hillsborough monthly calendar, or click here for upcoming meeting dates and like our Facebook page.

Hillsborough Support Group - Kristie Adkins - (813) 304-7736
Miami-Dade Support Group - Dulce Abreu - (305) 679-2759
Orange Support Group - Maritza Vasquez - (813) 297-9451 or Mellissa (Misty) Brown - (813) 297-7358
Osceola Support Group - Mellissa (Misty) Brown - (813) 297-7358 or Maritza Vasquez - (813) 297-9451
Pasco County Support Group - Sherrise Jackson - (813) 360-5259
Pinellas County Dependency Support Group - Marlena Austin - (813) 860-9136
Seminole County Support Group - Maritza Vasquez - (813) 297-9451 or Mellissa (Misty) Brown - (813) 297-7358