By Sheila Rentfrow, Kentucky Kinship Resource Center Program Coordinator
Each September, National Kinship Care Month affords the ability to shine a light on the incredible impact kinship caregivers have in the lives of children and families. Honoring and celebrating this month is important because it brings visibility, recognition, and support to the vital role caregivers play—both here in Kentucky and across the nation.
According to Grandfamilies, as of 2021 more than 77,000 children in Kentucky are being raised by kin with no parent present. Of these, 51,762 grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren. For every one child in foster care being raised by kin, there are 82 more being raised by relatives or close friends outside of foster care. These numbers reflect just how critical kinship care is in helping children remain with the people who know and love them most.
Kinship care allows children to stay connected to family, culture, and community while ensuring they are cared for in a safe and loving home. This connection improves outcomes for children—helping them feel secure, supported, and better able to heal from the challenges they have faced.
The Kentucky Kinship Resource Center provides a continuum of services to meet the unique needs of kinship providers across the Commonwealth, including one-on-one peer support, support groups, and online webinars and trainings. Recently, the KKRC expanded and now serves all caregivers, whether they have custody, are fostering, or are caretaking for a family member or friend’s child.
Creating a safe, supportive community for kinship caregivers, where they can experience support, find resources, and gain knowledge is one of the main goals at the KKRC and with the expansion, the foster care side of the kinship population will be integrated into the program, allowing for more resource sharing and community building.
Caregivers truly change the lives of the children they raise. When children can no longer remain with their parents due to different circumstances, kinship care provides a lifeline. Instead of moving to unfamiliar communities, children have the chance to live with family members or trusted friends they already know, making an already difficult situation much easier for a child to navigate.
Kinship caregivers provide not only love and safety, but also a true sense of belonging. They preserve family ties, traditions, and community roots—all while providing a home that the child can heal, grow, and thrive.
September is also Self-Care Awareness Month and while kinship care is earmarked by love and commitment, it can also come with unique challenges. Because family connections are at the heart of kinship care, they can also create added stress for caregivers. Navigating relationships with biological parents can be complicated, as those ties are personal and deeply felt by caregivers as well as the children they care for. Transitioning from being a grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling, or close friend into the role of “parent” can also create tension, especially when discipline or new boundaries or expectations are involved.
In addition, other family members may struggle with feelings of confusion or frustration because the caregiver is in this new parental role, which can further add stress and conflict to an already strained system. For all these reasons, self-care is not optional—it is a critical part of sustaining caregivers’ health and capacity to continue providing the love and stability children need.
Practicing self-care helps caregivers feel refreshed, supported, and better prepared to meet the needs of the children in their care. Here are some helpful strategies for caregivers:
- Rest: Take time to recharge. Whether it’s a nap, quiet time with a book, or a hobby you enjoy, rest is essential to maintaining energy and balance.
- Utilize Support Systems: Lean on family, friends, neighbors, or community groups for help. Support might look like babysitting, sharing a meal, or simply listening when you need to talk.
- Ask for Help: Speak up when you need assistance. If you don’t have a strong personal support system, reach out to the Kentucky Kinship Resource Center for additional guidance and resources.
- Make Time for enjoyable activities: Schedule activities you enjoy, even if it’s only for 10 minutes a day. Doing something that relaxes or energizes you will lift your spirits and keep you grounded.
- Celebrate the Good: Notice the positives—whether it’s good grades, a child’s kindness, or a successful day. Celebrating small wins builds hope and gratitude.
- Develop Coping Skills: Try stress-relieving practices like deep breathing, meditation, journaling, or a walk outside. These tools help you stay calm and centered.
- Set Boundaries: Remember it’s okay to say “no.” Protecting your time and energy allows you to give your best to your family without burning out.
For more information on the KKRC and its programs, please visit the KKRC website.
