November 18, 2025
View this webinar recording, featuring leaders from three evidence-based kinship navigator program models. Each of these models connect kin caregivers and their families, most of whom are not involved with the child welfare system, to critical services and supports:
Each program has been found to be evidence-based by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse, and therefore they – and any other title IV-E agency following their model with fidelity – are eligible for ongoing, uncapped title IV-E federal reimbursement of 50 percent of all costs to operate the program. Several states are already following these models with fidelity and obtaining ongoing federal reimbursement for their kinship navigator program.
We offered this webinar to help more states and Tribes select a model to follow with fidelity, and to prepare state and Tribal public child welfare agencies, universities, and nonprofit organizations to apply for the Fiscal Year 2026 title IV-B competitive grant opportunity. That Notice of Funding Opportunity is expected to be released in Spring 2026 and will likely include the requirement to name an evidence-based model to follow.
For the first time since 2018, title IV-B funds for purposes of developing, enhancing, or evaluating kinship navigator programs will be competitive and also open to universities and nonprofit organizations to apply as lead applicants.
This webinar recording can help prepare you to seize upon these opportunities, so you can provide robust and federally supported navigation services to the array of kinship families in your communities. These models are proven to be effective at supporting caregivers and preventing children from unnecessarily entering foster care.
Presenters:
Rosalyn Alber, Kinship and Lifespan Respite Program Manager, Home & Community Services, Aging & Long-Term Support Administration, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
Ali Caliendo, Ph.D., Executive Director, Foster Kinship, Nevada
Larry Cooper, Executive Vice President of Innovation, Children’s Home Network, Florida
Leah Dods, Deputy Director, Foster Kinship, Nevada
John Fowler Ph.D., Research Scientist, University of Washington School of Social Work
Amanda Krotke, Ph.D., Kinship Navigator Fidelity Analyst, Home & Community Living Administration, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
This webinar will explore practical lessons learned from building and operating navigator programs across multiple states, highlighting successful structures, partnership models, and funding strategies.
Peer connections are an underutilized yet infinitely powerful source of support for kinship families, who often feel alone and overwhelmed on their journey. As a…
This webinar will spotlight six Family Resource Centers spanning rural and urban communities, immigrant-serving and faith-based programs, and school-based and mobile models.
