Welcome to the October edition of the KKRC Newsletter!

Featured in this newsletter...

We are interested in your feedback about the KKRC Newsletter and what you want to see in future issues! Please fill out the form below (just four questions) and let us know how we can best support you as a kinship caregiver.

As we get closer to the holidays, our KY-KINS Peer Support Specialists are here to help you navigate community resources that can assist your family. Interested? Connect with a Peer Supporter today.

You can also check out our new KKRC website to learn more about KY-KINS and our other KKRC programs.

We are gearing up for a fantastic fall in KIN-VIP! We are designing new groups and new opportunities to connect with other kinship caregivers to find support and community to be successful in caring for kinship kids.

Not sure how to get started in KIN-VIP or how to find your place or your group? Come join us at The Gathering Spot! We will host The Gathering Spot on the first Wednesday of each month at 12 p.m. ET/11 a.m. CT to connect with KKRC staff, get connected to a great community of kinship caregivers, and get some cool KIN-VIP Swag.

Feel free to join us for the hour to have some fun, get to know the KKRC, and most importantly, get connected to your community!

The Gathering Spot Zoom Link: https://ukcosw.com/470Bk1A

Zoom passcode: 363383

Meeting ID: 854 4811 4395

These groups will meet weekly for 12 weeks and offer a $100 incentive for those who attend at least 10 sessions and complete a survey.

Want to join now but 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.

Need help signing up for a Support Group? Use the Step-By-Step Guide to help you through the process!

The KINSHIP Catalogue is an online resource page where you can find an array of resources to help you in your kinship journey. From LIVE webinars, to On-Demand Webinars, and Training Modules, the Catalogue continues to expand with new resources, and offers participants a library of information that can be accessed at anytime.

Check out our interactive, self-paced, Training Module Library! These 10-15 minute modules are lots of fun and offer a lot of great information. From discipline with teens, to communicating with your child, to understanding your child’s behaviors, these modules offer you an opportunity to learn on your schedule!

Check out what’s coming this month:

Trauma Series Part I: Understanding the Trauma Connection, Tuesday, October 22, 12 pm – 1:30 pm ET with Dr. Brittany Gentry.

Understanding trauma is important, understanding trauma from your child’s point of view and connecting it to the behaviors they have at home and at school is essential. This webinar has been approved for foster parent training credit.

On-Demand webinars are a library of our previously aired LIVE webinars that have been recorded for viewing at anytime. Check out these webinars that have been added to the Kinship Catalogue!

For the month of October, we would like to spotlight Community Food Banks, who work to provide families with food assistance, support, and education, especially in the coming fall and winter months. Food banks offer more than just food; many food banks offer a variety of programs throughout the year to help families including summer meal programs, nutrition programs, holiday meal programs, and more!  

It’s time for the October Poll Question! Remember, click the link below, read the question and click your answer, and then check back to see the percentage of responses from everyone who has answered so far. 

What is your favorite Fall activity?

Leaves are changing, the temperature is dropping, and stores are filling up with the lights and sounds of fall! Fall is officially here and with it comes fall activities we’ve all come to enjoy and look forward to. Fall kicks off a series of holidays that are family-centered, which can be exciting for many families, but for kinship families, this time of year can be challenging. Even though children are residing with family or friends, many must still adjust to new traditions and gatherings in the midst of the approaching holiday season and many caregivers are unsure of where to go for help.

At the Kentucky Kinship Resource Center, we offer several programs to help caregivers on their kinship journey. I hope that you will take a moment to look through the programs highlighted in this newsletter. Whether individual support is needed, a community to connect with, or information to assist in the care of the children, the KKRC is equipped to help caregivers navigate the kinship world by sharing resources, information, and support. I hope that you will reach out and connect to this kinship community. We are here for you!

 

Sheila Rentfrow

 

Kinship Program Coordinator

University of Kentucky College of Social Work

Centers & Labs Training Resource Center

 

1648 McGrathiana Pkwy, Suite 400

Lexington, KY 40511

859-257-4785

sheila.rentfrow@uky.edu