Kentucky Kinship Resource Center
The Kentucky Kinship Resource Center (KKRC) provides a continuum of services to meet the unique needs of kinship providers across the Commonwealth. Through comprehensive and creative training and education programs, innovative peer support and mentoring initiatives, and broad-based advocacy, KKRC provides the support and resources needed for kinship providers to safeguard the well-being of the children in their care.
Current Projects
If you have any questions about the KKRC, please contact Sheila Rentfrow at sheila.rentfrow@uky.edu.
Training Resource Center
by the numbers
6
Unique Centers & Labs
116%
Increase in FY20 extramural research funding
50,000+
Individuals served annually by Centers & Labs
Calendar of Events
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2 events,
Learning To Communicate: Developing Social Skills
Learning To Communicate: Developing Social Skills
Learning to Communicate: Developing Social Skills will equip parents to understand the process of communicating with children, teaching children to communicate with adults and peers, and developing interpersonal social skills. […]
Preventing Child Abuse: Types, Signs, And Symptoms
Preventing Child Abuse: Types, Signs, And Symptoms
Preventing Child Abuse: Types, Signs & Symptoms will inform parents of the definition of child abuse and ways it can be prevented. It provides descriptions and statistics of different types […]
2 events,
Nurturing Parenting Building Self Worth In Children
Nurturing Parenting Building Self Worth In Children
Greetings foster/adoptive parents and caregivers! Becoming a foster and/or adoptive parent can present unique challenges, especially when the children involved have a complex history of trauma. The Foster Parent Training […]
Keeping Your Kinship Child Safe Online
Keeping Your Kinship Child Safe Online
Raising kinship children in today’s world of technology with instant messaging and social media platforms can be very confusing and challenging for many Kinship caregivers. Understanding how to monitor what […]
0 events,
3 events,
Positive Adoption Language: Part 1
Positive Adoption Language: Part 1
Positive Adoption Language: Part 1 will discuss the power and impact of words and terminology related to adoption and foster care. This training will provide strategies to help parents reword […]
Understanding And Coping With Sensory Processing Challenges
Understanding And Coping With Sensory Processing Challenges
Understanding and Coping with Sensory Processing Challenges provides parents with tools to engage and work with children who display sensory processing challenges. Parents will learn what Sensory Processing Disorder is […]
ASK-VIP Support Group with Sheila
ASK-VIP Support Group with Sheila
ASK-VIP Support Groups are expressly designed to meet the needs of foster and adoptive parents in an inclusive, safe, and compassionate environment. They are led by seasoned facilitators who have […]
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
Learning Your Child Has A Disability
Learning Your Child Has A Disability
Learning Your Child Has a Disability aims to help foster and adoptive parents understand the unique emotions of discovering or confirming a child in their care has a disability. This […]
0 events,
1 event,
ASK-VIP Medically Complex Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Group
ASK-VIP Medically Complex Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Group
ASK-VIP Medically Complex Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Groups are expressly designed to meet the needs of foster and adoptive parents caring for children with medical complexities. They offer an opportunity to […]
2 events,
MSW Info Session
MSW Info Session
Are you ready to take your practice to the next level? Explore our Master of Social Work (MSW) program during an online info session. Count Me In The UK Difference […]
New Placements: Preparing & Adjusting Family Roles
New Placements: Preparing & Adjusting Family Roles
New Placements: Preparing & Adjusting Family Roles will help foster and adoptive parents introduce new placements into their existing family units. It gives ideas and strategies on how to prepare […]
2 events,
DSW Info Session
DSW Info Session
Turn Your Goals into Reality Explore our Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program during an online info session. Count Me In The UK Difference Our Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) […]
KIN VIP Support Group With Mary Jo Dendy
KIN VIP Support Group With Mary Jo Dendy
This group is an opportunity for kinship caregivers to come together to find support, community, and resources in the care of relative and fictive children. This group will focus on […]
1 event,
Understanding The Brain & Fear Responses In Traumatized Children
Understanding The Brain & Fear Responses In Traumatized Children
Understanding the Brain and Fear Responses in Traumatized Children provides an overview of brain development and how fight/flight/freeze fear responses may manifest in children who have experienced trauma. In addition, […]
4 events,
Confidentiality In Foster Care
Confidentiality In Foster Care
Confidentiality in Foster Care explores the importance of protecting the confidentiality of children in care. It offers strategies for how sensitive information about children in care can be communicated in […]
Medically Complex Join Hands Together In-Person Training
Medically Complex Join Hands Together In-Person Training
This training is for DCBS and Private Agency Foster Parents who have been approved by their R&C Supervisor and/or agency to attend. This is the initial training that all Resource […]
Learning To Communicate: Developing Social Skills
Learning To Communicate: Developing Social Skills
Learning to Communicate: Developing Social Skills will equip parents to understand the process of communicating with children, teaching children to communicate with adults and peers, and developing interpersonal social skills. […]
Preventing Child Abuse: Types, Signs, And Symptoms
Preventing Child Abuse: Types, Signs, And Symptoms
Preventing Child Abuse: Types, Signs & Symptoms will inform parents of the definition of child abuse and ways it can be prevented. It provides descriptions and statistics of different types […]
1 event,
Preparing Children For Permanency
Preparing Children For Permanency
Preparing Children for Permanency equips foster/adoptive parents with strategies to prepare children for permanency. It offers insight on the thoughts and emotional reactions that a child transitioning to permanency may […]
4 events,
2022 UK Parents Resource Fair
2022 UK Parents Resource Fair
UK HR Work-Life is hosting a free parents and guardians resource fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, in Ballrooms B and C of the Gatton Student […]
Transracial Parenting: Ages 12-18
Transracial Parenting: Ages 12-18
Transracial Parenting: Ages 12-18 explores the unique experiences of transracial foster/adoptive families and examines developmental stages of racial identity development in youth ages twelve to eighteen. The training provides strategies […]
Attachment & Bonding With Your Foster & Adopted Child
Attachment & Bonding With Your Foster & Adopted Child
Attachment & Bonding with your Foster & Adopted Child equips parents to enhance their relationship with foster/adopted children by teaching them the basics about bonding and attachment. This training also […]
A Guide To Coping With Allegations
A Guide To Coping With Allegations
A Guide to Coping with Allegations explores the prevalence of false allegations of abuse and neglect amongst foster homes and reasons such allegations may arise. Strategies for preventing false allegations […]
5 events,
Understanding Social Security Benefits For Kinship Children
Understanding Social Security Benefits For Kinship Children
As a Kinship caregiver, finding financial support to care for your family is a top priority. Many caregivers may not realize that the Social Security Administration offers benefits in certain […]
BASW Info Session
BASW Info Session
Are You Wildly Passionate About Social Work? Explore the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program during an online info session. Count Me In The UK Difference Graduates from […]
KIN VIP Support Group With Merlin Jones-Smalley
KIN VIP Support Group With Merlin Jones-Smalley
This group will focus on the day to day issues involving relative and fictive kin care and will be a place where each member can find support, resources, ideas, and […]
ASK-VIP LGBTQ+ Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Group
ASK-VIP LGBTQ+ Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Group
ASK-VIP LGBTQ+ Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Groups are specifically designed for foster/adoptive parents who identify as LGBTQ+ as well as foster/adoptive parents who are caring for children or teens who identify […]
Understanding A Case Through The Child Welfare System
Understanding A Case Through The Child Welfare System
Understanding a Case Through the Child Welfare System will provide foster and adoptive parents knowledge on how a case progresses through the child welfare system. Each case may include removal, […]
1 event,
Adoption: Understanding Your Commitment
Adoption: Understanding Your Commitment
Adoption: Understanding Your Commitment explores adoption dissolution. It addresses the impact on a child and family when adoption dissolution occurs and offers strategies and resources to prevent it. After completing […]
2 events,
You Are Worthy-Caring For The MVP
You Are Worthy-Caring For The MVP
Greetings foster/adoptive parents and caregivers! Becoming a foster and/or adoptive parent can present its own unique challenges, especially when the children involved have a complex history of trauma. The Foster […]
Creating Memories & Meaningful Family Traditions For Blended Families
Creating Memories & Meaningful Family Traditions For Blended Families
Creating Memories & Meaningful Family Traditions for Blended Families will inform parents of triggers children in their home may have and what they can do as parents to help create […]
0 events,
1 event,
A Child’s Education: Rights & Responsibilities
A Child’s Education: Rights & Responsibilities
Description A Child’s Education: Rights & Responsibilities will inform parents of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The training informs foster and adoptive parents of the processes used to […]
2 events,
ASK-VIP Support Group With Kay
ASK-VIP Support Group With Kay
ASK-VIP Support Groups are expressly designed to meet the needs of foster and adoptive parents in an inclusive, safe, and compassionate environment. They are led by seasoned facilitators who have […]
Transracial Parenting: Ages 0-5
Transracial Parenting: Ages 0-5
Transracial Parenting: Ages 0-5 explores the unique experiences of transracial families and examines developmental stages of racial identity development in young children. It offers strategies to create an environment that […]
4 events,
KIN VIP Support Group With Arion Jett-Seals
KIN VIP Support Group With Arion Jett-Seals
This group will focus on the day to day issues involving relative and fictive kin care and will be shaped by the identified needs of group participants. Members of this […]
Healthy Boundaries In Teenage Relationships
Healthy Boundaries In Teenage Relationships
Healthy Boundaries in Teenage Relationships explores healthy and unhealthy dating behaviors. It is designed to assist caregivers in identifying warning signs that a teen may be involved in an abusive […]
Drugs: Things You Need to Know
Drugs: Things You Need to Know
Drugs: Things You Need to Know is designed to inform parents of the many different classifications of illicit drugs, as well as the current trends related to adolescent drug abuse. […]
ASK-VIP Transracial Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Group
ASK-VIP Transracial Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Group
ASK-VIP Transracial Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Groups are specifically designed for those who share the unique experience of transracial parenting. They offer an opportunity to share experiences, questions, resources, and concerns […]
5 events,
DSW Info Session
DSW Info Session
Turn Your Goals into Reality Explore our Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program during an online info session. Count Me In The UK Difference Our Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) […]
Blended Families: Parenting Children When They Don’t Get Along
Blended Families: Parenting Children When They Don’t Get Along
Blended Families: Parenting Children When They Don’t Get Along assists caregivers with identifying issues that children may experience that are unique to blended families. It offers strategies to create a […]
Transitioning Foster Youth into Adulthood
Transitioning Foster Youth into Adulthood
Greetings foster/adoptive parents and caregivers! Becoming a foster and/or adoptive parent can present its own unique challenges, especially when the children involved have a complex history of trauma. The Foster […]
KIN VIP Caring For Teens Peer Support Group With Valerie Lebanion
KIN VIP Caring For Teens Peer Support Group With Valerie Lebanion
Caring for Teens in Kinship is a new KIN VIP Support Group offering for caregivers who are caring for teenagers in kinship care. This group will focus on caring for […]
Strategies To Remain Positive When Adopting
Strategies To Remain Positive When Adopting
Strategies to Remain Positive When Adopting describes common behaviors that the child(ren) may exhibit as well as feelings adoptive parents may have during the adoption process, including grief and post-adoption […]
2 events,
Centers & Labs Monthly Meeting
Centers & Labs Monthly Meeting
Description Centers and Labs Monthly Staff Meeting. Held the 3rd Wednesday of Each Month.
Healthy Boundaries: Strategies For Answering Tough Questions
Healthy Boundaries: Strategies For Answering Tough Questions
Healthy Boundaries: Strategies for Answering Tough Questions helps foster and adoptive parents understand the importance of setting boundaries in their lives. It explains the different types of boundaries (Physical and […]
1 event,
ARC Meetings & IEPs: The Basics
ARC Meetings & IEPs: The Basics
ARC Meetings & IEPs: The Basics will help foster and adoptive parents understand the process of an ARC Meeting and gain a better perspective of what an IEP will look […]
1 event,
First Steps: Kentucky’s Early Intervention System
First Steps: Kentucky’s Early Intervention System
First Steps: Kentucky’s Early Intervention System explores the services provided by this program. Participants learn how to refer children ages zero to three who have developmental delays, or medical conditions […]
0 events,
1 event,
Working With Birth Families To Achieve Permanency
Working With Birth Families To Achieve Permanency
Working with Birth Families to Achieve Permanency will equip foster parents many different ways to positively work with birth families toward the initial goal of reunification. The training also discusses […]
3 events,
Helping Foster & Adopted Children Transition To A New School
Helping Foster & Adopted Children Transition To A New School
Helping Foster & Adopted Children Transition to a New School will assist foster/adoptive parents in preparing to enroll a child in a new school. It will also provide practical tips […]
Promoting Stability & Increasing Resiliency For Children In Care
Promoting Stability & Increasing Resiliency For Children In Care
Promoting Stability & Increasing Resiliency for Children in Care explores the concepts of stability and resiliency and introduces skills for building resiliency in children who have experienced trauma. After completing this […]
Helping Your Child Succeed In School
Helping Your Child Succeed In School
Helping Your Child to Succeed in School will increase the ability of foster/adoptive parents to understand educational challenges faced by foster/adopted children. It will give resource parents the tools for […]
2 events,
KIN VIP Support Group With Merlin Jones-Smalley
KIN VIP Support Group With Merlin Jones-Smalley
This group will focus on the day to day issues involving relative and fictive kin care and will be a place where each member can find support, resources, ideas, and […]
ASK-VIP LGBTQ+ Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Group
ASK-VIP LGBTQ+ Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Group
ASK-VIP LGBTQ+ Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Groups are specifically designed for foster/adoptive parents who identify as LGBTQ+ as well as foster/adoptive parents who are caring for children or teens who identify […]
2 events,
Keeping Families Strong
Keeping Families Strong
Keeping Families Strong provides foster parents insight on how to keep partnerships, families and friendships strong while providing care to out of home children. It will also provide strategies for […]
1 event,
Medically Complex Join Hands Together In-Person Training
Medically Complex Join Hands Together In-Person Training
This training is for DCBS and Private Agency Foster Parents who have been approved by their R&C Supervisor and/or agency to attend. This is the initial training that all Resource […]
0 events,
1 event,
Transracial Parenting: Ages 5-12
Transracial Parenting: Ages 5-12
Transracial Parenting: Ages 5-12 explores the unique experiences of transracial families and examines developmental stages of racial identity development in elementary and middle school-aged children. It offers strategies to create […]
