LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 30, 2026) – National Kinship Care Month, recognized each September, celebrates the grandparents, relatives, and close family friends who provide care and support for children in their families and communities. Throughout the month, the UK College of Social Work (CoSW) is recognizing kinship caregivers across Kentucky and highlighting the resources and support available through the Kentucky Kinship Resource Center (KKRC).
Tara Pulaski, Kentucky Kinship Resource Center kinship navigator supervisor, sat down with the CoSW to discuss the importance of National Kinship Care Month, the unique experiences of kinship families and how the KKRC is working to ensure caregivers across the Commonwealth have access to the support they need.
What is your position with the Kentucky Kinship Resource Center and what do you do on a day-to-day basis?
I am the Kinship Navigator Supervisor for KY-KIN Connect. Our program helps kinship caregivers navigate complex systems and connects them with additional resources, typically early in their kinship journey. I manage the program, assist our 10 Kinship Navigators, and get the privilege of talking to kinship caregivers, too.
What inspired you to work with the KKRC?
Kinship care is deeply woven into our family story. Both my husband and I had experience with kinship care as children. We’ve also been kinship caregivers ourselves for the last four years. From those experiences, I want to help ensure that kinship caregivers in Kentucky have all the support they need and deserve for themselves and the children in their care.
What do you enjoy most about working with kinship families?
Kinship families are some of the most resilient, amazing, loving, and funny people you’ll ever meet! They have such big hearts. I deeply respect them for stepping up and helping their kin.
How do the resources at the KKRC help kinship families as they are navigating challenges?
Our services assist with tangible needs like food, utilities, and clothing, but also connection and emotional support. Kinship caregiving is a hard road. Our services ensure that families have a variety of supports to meet their individualized needs. Ultimately, our resources help build placement stability.
What advice would you share with kinship families as they are beginning their journey?
Please don’t do this alone! I highly recommend our Peer Support and Group Support programs at the KKRC. They help you connect with other families like yours, so you don’t have to do this alone. You’re doing a wonderful thing for the children in your care, but you deserve support and self-care, too.
What does National Kinship Care Month mean to you?
Kinship Care Month represents a time to reflect on both my personal and professional journeys. It’s a time to honor kinship caregivers and the children who have been in kinship care. I also take this time to think about how we can better support kinship families and children, so that they have all the supports they need. For this year’s Kinship Care Month, I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to all our kinship caregivers across Kentucky. You’re amazing!