National Kinship Learning Cohort Opportunity for Family Resource Centers

The National Family Support Network and the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network are inviting a small, select group of Family Resource Centers to participate in two national peer learning cohorts focused on strengthening kinship engagement.

Over six months, participating FRCs will engage in applied peer learning, test real-world strategies, and contribute insights that help shape emerging national practice in kinship engagement. Only 10 FRCs nationwide will be selected across two cohorts, one focused on school-based kinship engagement and one focused on engaging male kin caregivers.

Before you complete your application, review the application questions, as well as the eligibility requirements and commitments expected for participation described below. Then apply here.

Applications are due by February 28, 2026.

Family Resource Centers play a critical role in supporting kin caregivers across diverse community settings, including schools and other trusted local access points. The National Family Support Network (NFSN) and the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network: A National Technical Assistance Center (Network) are hosting two national peer learning cohorts focused on strengthening kinship engagement.

This six-month national peer learning opportunity invites a small, select group of Family Resource Centers (FRCs) to strengthen kinship engagement strategies through peer learning, practical application, and shared problem-solving with colleagues from across the country.

There will be two focused learning cohorts–one focused on implementing school-based kinship strategies and the other focused on engaging male kin caregivers. Participating FRCs will test and refine real-world approaches, learn directly from peers, and contribute insights that help shape emerging national practice in kinship engagement, all within a structure designed to be realistic and respectful of staff capacity.

Only five Family Resource Centers nationwide will be selected for each cohort.

Why This Is a Unique Opportunity

Selected FRCs will have the opportunity to:

Join a national peer learning community focused on advancing kinship engagement through FRCs
Learn directly from FRCs implementing promising strategies across diverse community contexts
Test and refine practical, real-time approaches within existing capacity
Access FRC and kinship resources that can help your FRC address kin caregiver needs
Contribute insights that will inform future tools, models, and national field learning

Participation is intentionally designed to support applied learning, peer connection, and meaningful practice improvement, grounded in the day-to-day realities of Family Resource Center work.

About the Two Learning Cohorts

NFSN and the Network will host two topic-based, national peer learning cohorts, each bringing together five Family Resource Centers committed to strengthening kinship engagement through applied, practice-based learning.

Applicants should be actively engaged in serving kinship families or prepared to implement targeted strategies during the cohort period. We are especially interested in learning from FRCs that are testing, refining, or launching school-based kinship approaches or intentional strategies to engage male kin caregivers.

These cohorts are designed for sites ready to move from ideas to action, reflect with peers, and contribute insights that can inform broader field learning.

Cohort 1: School-Based FRCs & Kinship Engagement

This cohort will focus on how FRCs embedded in or closely partnered with schools can more intentionally identify, engage, and support kinship families.

Together, cohort participants will explore:

Identifying kin caregivers within school communities
Strengthening coordination between FRCs, schools, and community partners
Adapting school-based services and outreach to better respond to kinship family needs
Navigating systems, boundaries, and opportunities unique to school-based settings

This cohort is well-suited for FRCs that:

Are school-based
Currently serve kinship families or have a clear, near-term implementation plan to expand kinship engagement in school settings
Have leadership support to test and refine approaches during the six-month cohort

Cohort Meeting Dates & Times: School-Based FRCs & Kinship Engagement

All sessions are 60-minute virtual meetings. Dates are fixed as listed below:

2:00–3:00 p.m. ET (1:00-2:00 p.m. CT; 12:00-1:00 p.m. MT; 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. PT; 10:00-11:00 a.m. Alaska time)

Thursday, March 26
Thursday, April 23
Thursday, May 28
Thursday, June 25
Thursday, July 30
Thursday, August 27

Cohort 2: Engaging Male Kin Caregivers through FRCs

This cohort will focus on strengthening FRC strategies for engaging and supporting male kin caregivers, including grandfathers, uncles, older brothers, and other male relatives and fictive kin caregivers.

Together, cohort participants will:

Consider outreach and engagement strategies that resonate with male kin caregivers
Create welcoming, inclusive spaces that reflect diverse caregiving roles
Address barriers to participation and sustained engagement
Elevate the voices and experiences of male kin caregivers within FRC programming

This cohort is well-suited for FRCs that:

Are already engaging male kin caregivers or are prepared to intentionally pilot new engagement strategies
Have leadership support to test and refine approaches during the six-month cohort

Cohort Meeting Dates & Times: Engaging Male Kin Caregivers through FRCs

All sessions are 60-minute virtual meetings. Dates are fixed as listed below:

4:00–5:00 p.m. ET (3:00-4:00 p.m. CT; 2:00-3:00 p.m. MT; 1:00-2:00 p.m. PT; 12:00-1:00 p.m. Alaska time)

Thursday, March 26
Thursday, April 23
Thursday, May 28
Thursday, June 25
Thursday, July 30
Thursday, August 27

Cohort Structure & Commitment

Timeframe:

Six-month commitment, March through August

Monthly Time Commitment:

One 60-minute virtual learning session per month, with active engagement in discussion and shared reflection on practice
Approximately one additional hour per month for light preparation and reflection
Total commitment: about 2 hours per month
Total commitment over six months: approximately 12 hours

Commitment Beyond the Cohort:

While the formal cohort runs for six months, participation reflects a longer-term commitment to strengthening kinship-informed practice within the Family Resource Center.
Teams are encouraged to view the cohort as a launch point for continued learning, reflection, and integration of kinship-responsive approaches into ongoing work.
The expectation is not perfection, but sustained attention and intentional practice beyond the cohort period.

Each participating FRC team includes:

One staff member, and
One kin caregiver with lived experience

Sessions focus on:

Peer-led learning and shared practice examples
Testing small changes within existing capacity
Reflection, adaptation, and concrete next steps

Stipend Support

A $75 per hour stipend is available for the participating kin caregiver
Supported through Network funding
Stipends are not available for staff participation

Application & Selection Process

Applications submitted via SurveyMonkey
Applicants must be Family Resource Centers
Applicants must select only one cohort
Applicants do not need to be affiliated with a state Family Resource Center Network or be part of an NFSN Member Network to apply.

Selection will prioritize:

Geographic and population diversity across U.S. regions
Demonstrated kinship engagement or a clear plan to strengthen practice

Key Dates

Applications open: February 13
Applications due: February 28
Selections announced: by March 6
Cohorts kickoff: March 26
Cohorts conclude: August 27

State and regional Family Resource Center networks are strongly encouraged to share this opportunity with eligible sites.

Apply here