Programs

Kinship Navigator

In this program, the Kinship Navigator links kinship caregivers to needed services in Hillsborough County.  The Kinship Navigator assists relative caregivers in navigating social service systems and helps them to secure resources for their families by helping connect them with the right organizations.

The concept for the Kinship Navigator Program began with the introduction of the Kinship Caregiver Support Act (S.985) by Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton, Thad Cochran, Tim Johnson, and Olympia Snowe in 2005. Under this bill, kinship navigator programs can be established, Kinship Guardianship Assistance Programs are established to provide subsidized programs for kinship families. The bill also includes a clause that ensures that relatives be notified when a child enters the foster care system.

Original funding and formulation of the first Kinship Navigator Program in Florida, The Kinship Navigator of Hillsborough County, came from the Kinship Workgroup at The Children's Board of Hillsborough County.  The Kinship Navigator Program was added to the continuum of services and supports for Relative Caregivers. In 2007, the Children's Board of Hillsborough County provided funding for the Kinship Navigator Program of Hillsborough County.

In early 2008, Magellan Health Services partnered with the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Inc. of Brevard County and the CBC of Brevard County to coordinate focus groups of Kinship Caregivers to assess the needs of the kinship families in their area.  From their findings, Magellan Health Services came to partner with The Florida Kinship Center to fund and sponsor The Kinship Navigator Program of Brevard County.  This program exists in accordance with the CBC of Brevard County.