September is National Kinship Care Month, a time to honor the grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, and other relatives who step in to raise children when parents are unable to do so. Research shows that kinship care offers children greater stability, helps maintain cultural identity, keeps siblings together, and supports better mental and behavioral health outcomes.

As we celebrate kinship families, it’s important to recognize the challenges they often face:

Common Challenges for Kinship Caregivers

Legal & Custody Issues: Kinship care can involve a range of legal arrangements—foster care, informal agreements, or legal guardianship. Navigating these systems can be complex, requiring time, licensing, and background checks.

Navigating Complex Systems: Families interact with multiple systems—child welfare, education, healthcare, disability, and mental health services. Understanding eligibility, wait times, and how to advocate for support can be overwhelming.

Limited Access to Services: Caregivers often struggle to access childcare, transportation, and adequate mental health services.

Emotional & Relational Stress: Children may face grief, loss, or attachment challenges that impact their emotional and behavioral well-being.

Financial Strain: Many caregivers take on the role unexpectedly, without time to plan financially, making it difficult to meet basic needs.

Support in Minnesota

Minnesota offers policies and programs to support kinship families. A key statute, 260C.221 – Relative Search and Engagement; Placement Consideration, requires agencies to diligently identify and notify adult relatives within 30 days of a child’s removal from their parent.

Once family connections are made, these resources are available:

• MN Department of Children, Youth, and Families – Kinship Navigator Program
• Northstar Kinship Assistance

How You Can Help

Supporting kinship families goes beyond policy. You can:

• Share stories to raise awareness—online or in your community
• Recognize and thank kinship caregivers
• Volunteer, donate, or partner with nonprofits like:
  • Lutheran Social Services
  • Ampersand Families
  • Families Rise Together
  • Families Rising MN
  • Foster Adopt MN