GRANDfamilies offers a wide range of FREE services designed to support and empower kinship caregivers as they navigate the joys and challenges of raising relative children. The goal of our program is to provide practical resources, emotional support, and a sense of connection to help kinship families thrive and to create permanency for the kids in their care.
Read more about each of our services below and reach out to one of our Family Advocates if you’re ready to explore the support available to your family. We’re here to help!
CASE MANAGEMENT
- Family advocates are available to meet with kinship caregivers for support and resource navigation. Case management services include:
- Intake and assessment
- Application assistance (Guardianship, Medicaid, Financial-Specified Relative Grant)
- Family mediation for visitation and reunification agreements
- Resource referrals
- Emotional support and education
- Concrete support needs as available (diapers, clothing, etc)
PSYCHO-EDUCATION
GRANDfamilies has developed a 10-week curriculum specifically tailored to the needs of kinship caregivers. With over 20 years of direct experience working with kinship families in Utah, GRANDfamilies has identified the most common challenges faced by relative caregivers. These psychoeducational classes, led by our experienced family advocates, offer valuable information and resources in a supportive group setting. The program not only provides practical guidance but also fosters a sense of community and peer support for caregivers navigating the complexities of raising relative children.
Adolescent and children’s groups are held simultaneously in separate rooms, ensuring that every family member receives support and can connect with others in similar situations. This approach allows the entire family to feel included and part of a shared community experience.
Week One
- Adult Group: Kinship Care
- Teen Group: What is Kinship Care?
- Children Group: Introduction and Interpersonal Skills
Week Two
- Adult Group: Dynamics of Kinship Families
- Teen Group: Identifying Feelings & Learning Healthy Coping Skills
- Children Group: Kinship Family Dynamics
Week Three
- Adult Group: The Need for Permanency
- Teen Group: Developing a Healthy Self Esteem
- Children Group: Developing a Healthy Self Esteem
Week Four
- Adult Group: Healthy Boundaries
- Teen Group: Interpersonal Skills, Healthy Relationships, & Communication
- Children Group: Identifying Feelings
Week Five
- Adult Group: Risk & Protective Factors
- Teen Group: Peer Pressure & Substance Use
- Children Group: Managing Emotions
Week Six
- Adult Group: Trauma
- Teen Group: Internet Safety
- Children Group: Healthy Coping Skills
Week Seven
- Adult Group: Neuroplasticity
- Teen Group: Understanding Your Brain
- Children Group: Safety
Week Eight
- Adult Group: Attachment & Bonding
- Teen Group: Making Decisions & Goal Setting
- Children Group: Social Skills
Week Nine
- Adult Group: Substance Use and Misuse
- Teen Group: Mental Health First Aid
- Children Group: Healthy Choices
Week Ten
- Adult Group: Caregiver Support
- Teen Group: Being and Finding a Role Model
- Children Group: Friendship and Wrap Up
FRIEND 2 FRIENDS
Kinship families who complete the psycho-educational course are added to a special mailing list for our GRANDfamilies Friend 2 Friend events. These monthly gatherings are designed to bring families together for fun, connection, and support. We are committed to building protective factors that help youth thrive both now and in the future. Our events include a variety of activities such as parties, educational workshops, giveaways, and more, all aimed at fostering community and strengthening family bonds.
CLINICAL COUNSELING
Families who qualify for our GRANDfamilies services may be entitled to no-cost counseling services. We specialize in providing strengths-based, adoption & kinship-competent, trauma-informed therapy services to children and their caregivers. Therapy services may include helping identify and enhance family’s inherent strengths, process kinship related grief and loss, recognize and understand how trauma can impact development, develop more effective ways of managing challenging behaviors, build self-esteem, navigate kinship relationships, and develop communication skills.
We are leaders in adoption/kinship-competent mental health care and are the only agency in Utah approved as trainers for the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) Training for Adoption Competency.
