Kinship-Care Families

If you are raising a grandchild or another relative’s child, you’re doing some of the world’s most important work. Yes, you face unique circumstances, but you aren’t alone. Millions of families across the nation share similar challenges.

To help meet the needs of kinship-care families, peers and professionals nationally and locally have begun reaching out with information, referral services, and support networks. We’ve joined this effort by identifying and assembling a number of good resources here.

Understanding kinship family relationships relationships These Fact Sheets from the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension provide information on a variety of topics of concern kinship caregivers, such as understanding kinship family relationships, child development, understanding children’s behaviors and how to negotiate children’s contact with their parents.

New Hampshire Family Resource Centers provide education, activities, support, and referral information to all New Hampshire families. Site contains a locator that lets you find a Center near you.

Children of Alcoholics Foundation (COAF) Ties That Bind Project Tips for relatives caring for the children of substance abusers have taken over the care of a child when parents' drug or alcohol use has left them unable to care for their children.

Kinship-Care Families: N.H. Fact Sheet with National and State data, National Resource links, public benefit information, and local programs that can direct you to a number of agencies who are currently providing services and support for grandparents and other relatives who are raising others’ children, including the agency’s contact person and phone numbers.

Grandparent Information Center A national database that lets you search for specific local information about support groups, educational seminars, respite programs, information and referrals.

Parenting the Second Time Around A Cornell Cooperative Extension manual thatcontains outlines for six two-hour workshops, with handouts and supplementary materials, including evaluation tools. Topics include child development, discipline and guidance, acknowledging ambivalent feelings, rebuilding a family, and legal issues.

New Hampshire Servicelink Centers A network of county-based centers that help you with questions about healthcare and other services for older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers.

We need your help improving NH Relatives as Parents Program webpages. Please let us know if you’ve spotted an error, want to suggest a resource, have a personal story to share, or want to join others to improve the support networks for kinship families.