Caregiver Wellness & Support

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Kinship Care Supports

What relatives raising a child can ask about, from school enrollment to available assistance.

Who it's for
Outside Caregiver
Child / youth age
All ages
Geography
State
Action type
Find Help
Reading time
About 5 min
Last verified
August 2026

What this is

An orientation to the supports commonly available to relative caregivers.

Why it matters

Relative caregivers frequently take on the role informally and never learn what assistance exists.

What you should know

  • Programs and eligibility vary by state and county; ask locally rather than assuming.
  • Schools have enrollment procedures for children living with relatives.
  • Kinship navigator programs exist in many areas to help with paperwork.
  • Keeping written records of the arrangement helps in nearly every system.

Your next step

Search for a kinship navigator or family-support program in your county.

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