Kinship Care is defined as the full time care, nurturing and protection of children by a relative.
The Virginia Division for the Aging (VDA) leads a Kinship Care Statewide Task Force and Information Network to discuss and share information on kinship care issues.
VDA has also developed a guide that helps identify legal, medical and emotional resources that are available to grandparents caring for grandchildren. Visit our Publications page and look under the subject heading "Grandparenting" to download a copy of this publication. You can also contact us for more information or assistance.
AARP Grandparent Information Center - provides information for all grandparents
http://www.aarp.org/families/grandparents/gic/
American Bar Association’s Center on Children and the Law – supports a Kinship Care Legal Resource Center with information for attorneys, judges, and others in social services working with kinship families.
http://www.abanet.org/child/kinshipcare.shtml
Brookdale Foundation – is a nationally recognized sponsor of programs for relatives serving as parents.
http://www.brookdalefoundation.org/relativesasparents.htm.
Child Welfare League of America – provides support for meeting the needs of all children. It is the nation’s oldest child advocacy organization.
http://www.cwla.org
Children’s Defense Fund – works to provide a safe life for all children. It is a private, non-profit organization.
http://www.childrensdefense.org
Generations United –focuses on improving the lives of children, youth and older citizens through intergenerational activities.
http://www.gu.org/about.asp
Grandfamilies of America –provides tools to navigate the systems that provide support for the children in kinship care
http://grandfamiliesofAmerica.com
Grandsplace – provides many resources on-line for kinship families.
http://grandplace.org
Kinship Care Support Groups –a PDF listing.
http://vda.virginia.gov/pdfdocs/KinshipSupportGroups.pdf
Kinship Information Network –provides information to relative caregivers, including a technical assistance manual for establishing a kin caregiver support group.
http://www.kinship.org
National Committee of Grandparents for Children’s Rights – works through its national and international chapters to protect children.
http://www.grandparentsforchildren.org/
Raising Your Grandchildren –provides information and support to relative caregivers.
http://www.raisingyourgrandchildren.com
Virginia Department of Social Services –Kinship Care
http://www.dss.virginia.gov/family/fc/kinship.cgi
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