College Directory

Get to Know Merlin

• Favorite hobbies: Traveling, spending time with family, and attending Blues festivals/concerts
• Favorite quote: “The most common way people give up their power is by believing they have none.” – Alice Walker
• What do they like best about their role as a Kinship Leader: What I like best about my role as a Kinship Leader is being able to share my personal and professional experience as a kinship provider. I enjoy meeting and helping others navigate the system which can be a challenge. In my role, I am able to give others hope and let them know that they are doing their best as a kinship caregiver–and need the support.
• Personal experience with Kinship care: I have been a kinship caregiver for more than 20 years and I feel it is challenging at times. I am an advocate and supporter of relative placements because I feel it is in the best interest of the child(ren). However, now we are starting to provide training and support for relative placements. We still have a ways to go but I am committed to my role as an advocate for kinship care.