Celebrate love this month with the KKRC 💓

Welcome to the Kentucky Kinship Resource Center (KKRC) Newsletter!

We are very excited to bring you this newsletter highlighting all of the programs and events designed to support YOU as a caregiver.

Who are kinship caregivers? You are considered a kinship caregiver if you are a:

Are you a kinship caregiver? If so, then this newsletter contains information just for you!

KY-KINS ( Kentucky Kinship, Information, Navigation, and Support) is an individualized, one-on-one support program that matches kinship caregivers with trained Peer Supporters who have personal experience in caring for a kinship child.

Connect with a Peer Supporter virtually every week to receive support, guidance, education, and resources relevant to your situation as a kinship caregiver.

For more info on the KY-KINS program, please feel free to check out the video below:

My name is Regina Henderson and I am a mother of nine children. My husband and I have seven biological daughters and two adopted sons, all ranging in age from three to 27. Our oldest son, who was my (very young) nephew, came to us as a kinship placement in 2018. We adopted him in 2019. Our youngest son came to us through foster care in 2020 and was adopted in 2022. We also have two grandchildren.

I became a Family Peer Support Specialist (FPSS) in 2021 and was one of the first employees with the KY-KINS Program. I chose to become a FPSS because I was passionate about helping other kinship caregivers and I am so glad I did!

I remember when I was a new kinship caregiver and had so many questions! I had no idea where to go for the help I needed and remember just feeling so overwhelmed. I joined KY-KINS so that I could share what I learned with others who may be feeling the same way: overwhelmed with the whole process. I truly believe that we can take the knowledge we learn through life, even if it isn’t always positive, and apply it to make life easier for others.

What we at the KKRC love about Regina: Regina shares with her kinship families that her kinship journey has brought her much joy but recognizes the challenges that she has also worked through. As a Peer Supporter, Regina works to empower caregivers as they face each obstacle to avoid feeling stuck or defeated and to remain joyful in their kinship journey.

At the KKRC, our goal is to connect kinship caregivers to support and resources so that you have a place where you can continually find answers to questions and encouragement for tough situations. KIN-VIP is the place to do just that. Whether you have questions and need help, or you have been caring for kinship children for some time and want to share what you’ve learned with others, please come and be a part of a group.

KIN-VIP groups are led by individuals who are experienced in kinship care and facilitating group meetings. These groups meet throughout the month at designated days and times through unique zoom meeting links, making it easy and convenient to join. Just tap the link and join the meeting.

Not sure which group is for you? Just call Sheila Rentfrow at 859-257-4785 or email sheila.rentfrow@uky.edu for assistance in getting connected.

Merlin Jones Smalley is a retired FRYSC worker in Jefferson County who has been a kinship caregiver for over 20 years. Merlin likes being able to share her personal and professional experience as a kinship provider and is committed to inspiring hope in others like her.

February topic: Preparing for Spring Break and Summer Camps

Check out all of our February Support Groups by clicking the button below!

The KINSHIP Catalogue is a diverse library of resources ranging from live webinars and recorded on-demand webinars, to a series of interactive e-learning training modules which provides you with information at your fingertips. This ever-expanding library continues to grow as more and more resources are continually added to provide kinship caregivers with information they can readily use in caring for their families. Log on now and see what resources can help you.

Parenting Series: ADHD, Depression, and Anxiety in Kids - Feb. 23, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

February starts our two-month Parenting Series presented by Dr. Marlene Huff, LCSW, PhD. ADHD, depression, and anxiety are becoming more common among our children. For kinship children, these diagnoses are impacting their daily life at school and at home. Join us as we have the next installment of our Parenting Series where we will understand how these diagnoses affect our kids and how we as caregivers can help them through it.

These groups will start as a 12-week pilot and offer financial incentives for participants. Once the group begins, no further sign-ups will be permitted for the 12-week course.

Whether you are coping with the loss of someone important to you, the loss of a relationship, or even the loss of a way of life, finding a supportive atmosphere is essential. Sign up for this group and receive support for you. The group will launch in mid-February. Only a few spots remaining.

Need help navigating family relationships after becoming a kinship caregiver? This is often one of the most difficult areas to navigate. Join us as we explore these relationships and share tools to improve relationships with our family members. Only a few spots remaining.

Caring for children diagnosed with an emotional, developmental, behavioral, or learning issue or disorder can be exhausting for caregivers who are trying to both understand the child’s needs and manage their care. This group will offer support, resources, and encouragement to those caring for special needs children. Sign up today, space is limited!

Featured for this month is March’s Grandparents As Parents of Kentucky (GAP) Grandparents Raising Children Conference, taking place on March 21 in Lexington. This is a large, in-person conference gathering for kinship caregivers featuring inspiring and knowledgeable speakers, on-site agencies that support kinship care and provide resources/services, and the opportunity to become a part of the larger kinship community in Kentucky.

I was speaking with an aunt recently, who is raising her three great nieces and nephews, who told me of the struggles she has been having lately dealing with everyday tasks such as managing schedules, taking kids to school, long work hours, making ends meet, and then working up the energy to do it all again the next day. Amidst all of the challenges, she expressed repeatedly how much she loved the kids, how they are improving in school and reaching developmental milestones, and how she knew she was making a difference. She ended by saying, “I have this dream that one day, I’ll retire to some place where I can relax and live on my schedule. And then, I’ll have three beautiful grown-up adults, each with their own families, come to visit me and we’ll talk and enjoy just spending time together." I could hear in her voice how much she was looking forward to that time, when schedules would be easier, time and money were no longer a concern, and she could just enjoy her family.

February is a time of celebration of love, family, friends and life. For caregivers raising families, the day-to-day challenges can become overwhelming and exhausting. Trying to do these challenges on our own, without support and help, can make it even tougher. Trying to do it without time spent investing in your family and yourself, makes it almost too hard.

Amidst all the celebration this month, and every month after, make a point to plan (even schedule) to spend time engaging in activities that can refresh you and reenergize your family. Spend time laughing, playing games and enjoying your kids and your family and don’t forget to show yourself a little love, too! Don’t wait for schedules to lighten. Make time in your schedule for your family and for your own self-care. Spending time as a family engaging in activities strengthens family relationships, just as spending time doing activities you enjoy and find relaxing will replenish you. Even though there are daily challenges in kinship care, the journey can be rewarding and more enjoyable if you learn the importance of making time for all the things we have to do for our families.

Whether you need support or you would like to offer support, please connect with us and share your kinship heart. As always, if I can help you in your kinship journey, please feel free to call me at 859-257-4785 or email me at sheila.rentfrow@uky.edu