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Kinship Caregiver Support Program

The Kinship Caregiver Support Program provides kinship caregivers* with information, support and assistance on services and programs available to children residing in their home.

To complement the care kinship caregivers* provide, limited financial assistance is available to for the following:

  • Food, clothing, transportation, household items
  • School uniforms, supplies, field trips, band instruments
  • Sports and youth activity registrations, fees, uniforms, tutoring
  • One-time help with rent or utilities to prevent eviction or shut-off
  • Tutoring or transition counseling

Am I a Kinship Caregiver*?

Kinship Caregivers are relatives by birth, marriage, or adoption who have assumed the role of primary caregiver of a child 18 years of age or younger.

Who do I contact?

If you reside in Cowlitz or Wahkiakum County, please contact Senior Information & Assistance 1.360.577.4929 or 1.800.682.2406.

If you reside in Clark, Klickitat or Skamania County, please contact Children’s Home Society of Washington, Southwest Region, 1.360.695.1325

Kinship Navigator Program

In August of 2008, SWAAD was awarded a Kinship Navigator grant from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Aging and Disability Services Administration.  This grant provides for one full time staff person to identify and assist kinship caregivers.

Kinship Navigator

A kinship navigator provides information and assistance to kinship caregivers about a range of services, resources and support including:

  • Information and assistance for you and your family to other community agencies
  • Support for your family, including parent education, training, and support groups
  • Assistance with applying for Federal and State subsidies
  • Help receiving or maintaining child care
  • Help navigating the educational system
  • Advocacy and referrals to medical, dental, and mental health services
  • Legal assistance for care or children involved

This program is sub-contracted to Children’s Home Society of Washington, Southwest Region, located in Clark County.  

Contact person is Erinn Auclair - 1.360.695.1325 or email at ErinnA@chs-wa.org. 

The Kinship Navigator serves kinship caregivers throughout SWAAD’s five county service area.

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