STATUS: Open

SERVICE AREA: Michigan

CLIENTS SERVED: Grandparents, relatives, and other adults with a family-like relationship who provide full-time care (formal or informally arranged) for children under age 18 when their parents are unable or unavailable to care for them.

DESCRIPTION: The Kinship Care Resource Center (KCRC), operated by Michigan State University’s School of Social Work, provides free statewide information, referrals, education, and support to families raising children who are not their own. Experienced Kinship Navigators help caregivers locate support services.

PROGRAMS/SERVICES:

• Kinship Navigator Services: Provides individualized assistance from trained navigators who help caregivers identify community resources, understand available benefits, and navigate child welfare and family support systems.
• Kinship Caregiver Support Groups: Maintains a statewide directory and calendar of support groups where caregivers can share experiences and receive peer support.
• Caregiver Education & Training: Offers free webinars, workshops, and educational resources covering parenting, child behavior, stress management, caregiving challenges, and family well-being.
• Kinship Care Respite Program: Helps eligible caregivers age 55 and older in Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, and Washtenaw counties arrange and pay for children’s activities, such as child care, summer camps, after-school programs, and extracurricular activities. Financial Assistance of up to $250 may be provided if funding is available.
• Kinship Caregiver Legal Guide: Provides a free Michigan Kinship Caregiver Legal Guide addressing legal arrangements, caregiver responsibilities, child welfare procedures, and available resources.
• Referral Services: These are not direct services they provide, but they can help find specialized programs to help kinship caregivers.
  • Financial Assistance: Helps families identify and apply for programs such as the Child-Only Grant, foster care payments, food assistance, emergency housing and utility assistance, and other benefits.
  • Legal & Guardianship Resources: For guardianship, custody, adoption, foster care, parental rights, and other legal matters affecting kinship caregivers.
  • Basic Needs Assistance Referrals: Connects families with food, clothing, housing, transportation, utility assistance, and other essential community resources.
  • Child Care & Educational Support: Helps caregivers locate child care assistance, preschool, after-school programs, school enrollment resources, special education services, and educational advocacy.
  • Health & Behavioral Health Resources: Refers families to medical providers, health insurance programs, mental health services, substance use treatment, and child safety resources.

HOW TO APPLY:

• Kinship Navigator Assistance: Call 800-535-1218 or complete the Kinship Navigator Contact Form to request free assistance. Staff are available Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
• Support Groups & Training: Visit the Support & Training page to find upcoming support groups, workshops, and registration information.
• Kinship Care Respite: Call 800-535-1218 or email kinship@msu.edu to inquire about eligibility, funding availability, and enrollment.
• Resource Directory: Browse the Kinship Care Resources for assistance with financial support, legal issues, child care, education, health care, and basic needs.