Resources for Kinship Caregivers: Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children

Barb Wiley, Project Coordinator for the King County Kinship Collaboration

On Saturday, July 26, over 150 children and adults gathered for a barbecue and tours of the new Kinship Center, an effort of the King County Kinship Collaboration. In the photos with this article, participants check out the new childcare room and other facilities, while enjoying the company of other kinship families—relatives raising children.

Over 18,000 people in King County are raising a relative's child. They include grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and others caring for family members' children when circumstances prevent parents from caring for them. While the challenges facing these families are many, local and statewide programs are available to provide a helping hand and to connect families with the tools and supports they need.

King County Kinship Collaboration 

The King County Kinship Collaboration (KCKC)  is a diverse community of caregivers and public and private social service providers from across the county who have come together to provide a comprehensive and coordinated set of services, advocacy and community education to support the needs and interests of kinship families.

The KCKC invites kinship caregivers and family members in King County to visit the new Kinship Center pilot site at the Rainier Beach Family Center (located inside the Rainier Beach Community Center building). The Kinship Center pilot site is part of a statewide effort to support relatives as parents.

Beginning in September, Tuesdays will be "Kinship Days," when kinship families will find a variety of services, programming and trainings at the Center.

The Rainier Beach Family Center is located at 8825 Rainer Ave S., Seattle 98118.  Kinship Center staff can be reached at 206-723-1301, ext. 13. 

For more information about the Kinship Collaboration, visit the KCKC website.

For information on other resources available for kinship caregivers, contact King County’s Kinship Navigator and the Caregiver Outreach and Support program at 1-888-435-3377 or 206-448-3110 or visit the Senior Services Kinship Care website. 

A Resource Guide for Relatives as Parents in Washington State

Published by Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Aging & Disability Services Administration (ADSA), this Resource Guide provides grandparents and other relatives raising children with a wide variety of information and resources. Included in this 80-page booklet is information on special issues facing children in kinship care, financial assistance, legal and custody issues, child care and educational needs, coping strategies, national and local community services, plus much more.

The Resource guide can be read online, and free copies of the guide may be ordered from the Department of Printing.

Legal Guide for Kinship Caregivers

Options for Grandparents and Other Non-parental Caregivers: A Legal Guide for Washington State, a helpful and popular guide from the Northwest Women's Law Center, was recently reprinted and is available for free for a relative raising a child involved in a legal situation. Call the King County Kinship Navigator at 1-888-435-3377 or 206-448-3110 to request a copy.