Kinship care is the full-time care and nurturing of a child by a relative. According to the Year 2000 Census, relatives are raising over 345,000 children in Florida, nearly 10% of the state's child population. To respond to the needs of and issues facing these families, the Florida Kinship Center was established in 1998. The Center's mission is to serve kinship care families living in Florida, engage the resources of the Center in partnerships that respond to kinship care needs and issues and conduct research that advances knowledge and understanding of kinship care. Through innovative programs, services and partnerships, the Florida Kinship Center helps support kinship caregivers, children, and the entire kinship family. Programs offered by the Florida Kinship Center include the Warmline, Training and Education Services, Website, Newsletter, Research and Evaluation, and Special Events and Programs.
Warmline
Designed to provide "a warm, listening ear," emotional support, information, and referral for relative caregivers throughout Florida, the Florida Kinship Center operates the Warmline (1.800.640.6444) at the USF Tampa campus. Since 2000, the Warmline has offered many caregivers their first opportunity to share the feelings, frustrations, joys and successes of their kinship caregiving experience.
Training and Education Services
The Florida Kinship Center's Training Program is designed to give providers and caregivers the tools necessary to meet the needs of the relative caregivers. Topics covered in the Florida Kinship Center's training opportunities include: how to start a support group, caregiver grief and loss issues, how to deal with the biological parent, helping your child succeed at school, and examining support group dynamics. A new Train-the-Trainer Workshop Series, with topics determined by assessing the needs of kinship caregivers, professionals will learn knowledge and skills to train others, as well as provide enhanced informational services for caregivers in their respective communities.
Website
In January 2002, the Center launched its website, www.flkin.org. The goal of this website is to be an access and entry point for Florida's kinship caregivers and advocates. The Center's hope is that by remembering a single website address, kinship caregivers can access the information, news, support from other caregivers and assistance that they need.
Newsletter
To supplement the continually updated website, the Florida Kinship Center Newsletter, Kinnectivity, is developed and published quarterly. The Newsletter highlights issues, news and events related to kinship care. Articles include updates from community partners about their activities, photographs of events, new resources available, stories of relative caregivers, upcoming events and other stories of interest to kinship caregivers and professionals. Submissions are always welcome.
Best Practices
Kinship Care Connection
The Kinship Care Connection (KCC) is a school-based best practice model that supports caregivers in addressing one of their most commonly voiced concerns: the academic achievement of their kin children. This program addresses each of the following concerns: academic performance, emotional and social challenges, behavior problems, and special education placements. Services are provided to both the caregiver and their children.
Kin as Teachers
Kin as Teachers (KAT) is an early childhood/caregiver support and education program that serves relative caregivers raising children from birth to kindergarten entry. Based on the Parents as Teacher Program, it is designed to enhance child development and school achievement through caregiver education, increasing children's school readiness and early detection of developmental delays. Program components include case management, screening, home visits, and group meetings.
Special Events and Programs
Annual Statewide Kinship Care Conference
Every October since 2002, the Florida Kinship Center has sponsored the Annual Statewide Kinship Care Conference. In addition to celebrating the daily hard work of relative caregivers, this uplifting and educational conference offers attendees the opportunity to share their experiences and connects them to other caregivers and resources from around the state. Through its supportive and inspirational atmosphere, the conference provides a respite for caregivers and recognizes the significance of their special families.
Annual Rally in Tally
Grandparents raising grandchildren have begun to speak up-- not just to their friends and relatives - but also to elected officials such as senators and representatives. A powerful example of grandparents' advocacy occurs in Florida each year (starting in 2001) when the Florida Kinship Center sponsors an event dubbed "Rally in Tally." Relative caregivers from across the State journey to Tallahassee to walk the long halls of the Florida Capitol and share their many stories with Senators and Representatives. Every "Rally in Tally" event increases the awareness of legislators about the important and dedicated work of relative caregivers. After a long day in Tallahassee, these special caregivers return home exhausted but proud of their advocacy work that empowers all relatives raising relatives' children.
Research and Evaluation
The Florida Kinship Center's Research Division employs cutting-edge research and evaluation to identify best practices in the field of kinship care. The Research Division is also engaged in community partnerships throughout Florida to design effective programs and provide up-to-date information that is committed to develop a systematic approach to supporting kinship care families in their own communities
Florida Kinship Center Brochure
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