Learning Community Session: Kin Caregiver Panel Discussion with Dr. Joseph Crumbley
Join us for a panel discussion with kin caregivers on traumatic life experiences from their perspective, and how agencies can best support them and their families.
Evidence-Based Kinship Navigator Programs: Which Federally Approved Model is Right for Your State or Tribe?
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:
- Kinship Interdisciplinary Navigation Technologically-Advanced Model (KIN-TECH™) – Florida
- Foster Kinship Navigator Program – Nevada
- Washington State Kinship Navigator Program
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
See Upcoming Events
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Strategies for Using Data to Prioritize Kinship Care
Network Subject Matter Experts, Noah Duncan and Jack Tait of Foster Insights, will provide practical strategies for using data to ensure that your agency is engaging kinship caregivers wherever possible.
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The Role of Private Child Welfare Agencies in Kin-Specific Licensing and Supports
Join Network Subject Matter Network Marina Nitze for a panel discussion with private agencies that have successfully navigated the shift to kin-specific licensing.
