Grandparents and other relatives raising children have unique needs. Because they are family to the child for whom they are caring, they may feel they don't need training in the traditional sense because they have already raised children. However, kinship caregivers can benefit from information on the child welfare system and the financial, legal, and other supportive services available to them. The following resources include training curricula and materials for kinship caregivers on topics such as legal and policy issues, changes in family dynamics, and navigating the child welfare system. Resources include State and local examples.
Generations United: Trainings
Generations United (2016)
Offers a variety of free trainings and technical assistance on topics related to grandfamilies, including webinars and access to a learning network of peers.
Introducing TST-FC: A Trauma-Focused Curriculum for Caregivers
The Annie E. Casey Foundation (2017)
Describes a free, online training designed to enhance foster parents' or kinship caregivers' understanding of how trauma affects children's behavior and family dynamics. The curriculum includes detailed facilitator guides, a training presentation, handouts, and a resource guide.
KEEP (Keeping Foster and Kin Parents Supported and Trained)
The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (2017)
Gives kin caregivers effective tools for dealing with their child's behavioral and emotional issues, including trauma. Foster parents are taught how to create a safe environment that encourages child cooperation, limit setting, and more.
Kinship Center Educational Institute
Kinship Center (2016)
Offers classes and custom training on issues surrounding adoption, foster care, and relative care for parents and professionals. Parent/caregiver classes are provided in English and Spanish.
The PRIDE Program
Child Welfare League of America
Provides information about the Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education (PRIDE) program, a model for developing and supporting foster and adoptive families.
Training to Become a Foster Parent or to Adopt
AdoptUSKids (2017)
Provides information on preservice training that kinship caregivers can receive during the adoption process. The website also includes a link to a video with additional information on training.
Training for Kinship Caregivers (PDF - 34 KB)
National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections (2009)
Compiles State policies and approaches on training and assessment for kinship caregivers.
State and local examples
Foster, Adoptive, Kinship, and Birth Parent Training in 2018 (PDF - 240 KB)
Michigan State University School of Social Work and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (2018)
Provides free trainings for caregivers and kinship/relative parents in Michigan to help support the needs of raising a child and the unique challenges these children face. This training counts toward required annual training for caregivers in Michigan.
Foster Parent and Relative Caregiver Training
Oregon Department of Human Services
Discusses a foster parent and relative caregiver training offered in Oregon. The training includes links to videos on parenting foster youth and covers the importance of birth families and child development as well as the impact of abuse, behavior management, and discipline versus punishment.
Foster Parent Training Course Catalog: Parent Learning and Development (PDF - 355 KB)
Tennessee Department of Children's Services (2015)
Offers learning opportunities that help kinship parents in Tennessee to provide a safe, nurturing, and loving environment for the children in their care. The training gives foster parents information on medical care, education, problem-solving and teamwork skills, and more.
In-Service Training for Resource and Adoptive Parents and Kinship Caregivers
University of Maryland School of Social Work, Ruth H. Young Center for Families and Children
Describes a parent training program provided in conjunction with the Maryland Department of Human Resources. The training program is designed to equip resource and adoptive parents with the education, resources, and tools they need to help their children with complex situations or caregiving issues.
Kinship Care
Denver Human Services (2017)
Provides information for kinship caregivers in Denver, including a section on training that outlines several training options, such as workshops on trauma-informed care, nutritional cooking, guardianship, support groups, and other topics.
Kinship Care Information
Florida State Foster Adoptive Parent Association (2017)
Provides information for relative caregivers in Florida as well as answers to frequently asked questions about financial assistance, how to apply for benefits, and related topics.
Kinship Care: Raising Children
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
Lists services for kinship families, including information and training on caregiving available through several resources in Washington.
Kinship Families – Success
Utah Foster Care
Provides access to information on training kinship caregivers must take in Utah before becoming a licensed foster home. The training introduces parents to skills that will help them deal with children exposed to trauma and strengthen family ties.
A Second Chance
Allegheny County Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Supports kinship foster care that provides stability and continuity, maintaining a child's cultural identity and contact with their birth family.
Child Welfare Information Gateway encourages organizations to submit resources from their workforce or training efforts for inclusion in our library. Send information to library@childwelfare.gov.