Kids and Families Together
Informal Kinship & Resource Parent Services dont use
View the K&FT Kinship Brochure
What is Kinship Care?
Kinship Care, sometimes referred to as “relative care,” is the full time parenting of children by grandparents, other relatives, neighbors, or friends of the family.
Many of these caregivers may be seniors, in poor health, socially isolated, and/or emotionally and financially unprepared to assume the responsibilities of children who may have emotional and behavioral issues resulting from separation, grief, loss, multiple placements, prenatal exposure to drugs, and/or abuse or neglect.
Why does Kinship Care Exist?
When a child’s parent (s) is: in treatment for addiction challenges, unable to meet parental responsibilities resulting in Children & family Services removing the child, incarcerated, critically ill, or passes away.
Types of Arrangements
- Formal Arrangements: with public agency jurisdiction and oversight
- Informal Arrangements: by family members (adoption and legal guardianship)
Support Services Program
Kids & Families Together provides therapeutic counseling and education support services for Foster/Resource, Kinship, Legal Guardian, and Adoptive Caregivers in Ventura County. Through contracts with Ventura County Human Services Agency (HSA) our Kinship Support Services Program provides support services to Kinship Caregivers and court dependent children placed in their homes by the juvenile court, also to Kinship caregivers with informal arrangements. Our contract with Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) is also aimed at helping Kinship Caregivers do the best job they can in raising these children through education-support services, K&FT referrals to collaborative agencies, support and resources groups, referrals to food pantries, Medi-Cal, and financial assistance.
Services include our Peer Partner & Educator Program (PPE). PPEs are para-professionals working with Foster/Resource and Kinship caregivers in helping caregivers understand the Child Welfare System, Trauma Informed Care, and how to navigate and utilize community resources as it pertains to Kinship care.
For more information on our support services program or copies of our brochures, please contact us at 805.643.1446 Ext. 107 or Ext. 112.
Caregivers Resource Guide
Our Caregivers Resource Guide was created in hopes to provide a road map for many caregivers that are not eligible for our Peer Partner and Educator program e.g. adoptive and out of County/State caregivers. Please refer to our caregiver resource guide and if you have any questions you may call (805) 643-1446 ext. 139.
Training & Network Gatherings
We offer Training & Network Gatherings for resource parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, or other relatives raising children. This group is facilitated by para-professional staff and experienced caregivers who understand the struggles of raising the child of a non-relative/relative, friend, or neighbor. (Training & Network Gatherings are currently being offered via Zoom.)
Where & When
- Oxnard: (Bilingual Spanish & English) 1st (Bilingual) & 3rd (Spanish) Wed. of the month, 6-8pm at 2201 Jasmine Ave., Sierra Linda Elementary
- Santa Paula: (Bilingual Spanish & English) 2nd Tues. of the month, 6-8pm at 115 Dean Drive Ste. C, C.A.U.S.E
- Ventura: 1st & 3rd Tues. of the month, 6-8pm at 864 E. Santa Clara St., Kids & Families Together
- Thousand Oaks: (In collaboration with Senior Concerns) 2nd Tues. of the month, 6:30-8:30pm at 401 Hodencamp Rd., Senior Concerns
- Camarillo: 4th Thursday of the month, 9-11am at 1317 Del Norte Rd., Suite 110, Kids & Families Together- Support Programs and Training Center
Please contact us at 805.643.1446 Ext. 203 for more information and to sign up.
