GRANDfamilies offers a wide range of FREE services designed to support and empower kinship caregivers as they navigate the unique challenges of raising relative children. The goal of our programs 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!

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)

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.

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.

Families who qualify for our GRANDfamilies services may be entitled to no-cost counseling services. We specialize in providing strengths-based, adoption-competent, trauma-informed therapy services to children and caregivers related to adoption or kinship care. 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.

In 2023, GRANDfamilies was the first program in the country to receive the Exemplary Program designation through the Grandfamilies and Kinship Support Network. Visit the GKSN site to learn more about this designation.