Kinship Care: Policy and Programmatic Innovations
October 27, 2026 - 2:00-3:30 pm ET
Kinship Care: Policy and Programmatic Innovations
This webinar explored key policies and programs that support kinship families — both within foster care and outside of that system. Beginning with the fundamentals of how states define kinship care, the presenters moved into strategies to enhance access to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
We then heard from the administrator of Ohio’s complementary federally-approved, evidence-based programs to support kinship families, including family finding and two kinship navigator programs – one that focuses on open child welfare cases and the other that focuses on all kinship and adoptive parents.
Next, we learned about the nation’s first statewide Multisector Plan on Kinship, which is being developed in Idaho through a strong private-public partnership.
Finally, we heard from Dr. Wendell Primus about his ideas to improve Social Security supports for grandparents and the grandchildren they raise.
Presenters:
- Stephanie Armendariz, Senior Policy Analyst, Chapin Hall
- Ana Beltran, Director, Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network, Generations United
- Veronica Burroughs, Family First Prevention Services Administrator, Ohio Department of Children and Youth
- Dr. Wendell Primus, Visiting Fellow, Brookings Institution; former budget and health advisor to Speaker Pelosi
- Sheila Weaver, Program Manager, Idaho Caregiver Alliance