A competitive federal grant will help ParentLink at the University of Missouri expand and evaluate a statewide program supporting relatives and other trusted adults raising children during family crises.
When a family experiences a crisis, a grandparent, aunt, uncle or another trusted adult may step in to provide a child with a safe, stable home. Often, that decision happens quickly, leaving caregivers to navigate unfamiliar legal requirements, school enrollment, financial pressures and a child’s emotional needs.
Through the MO KIN-4-KID Kinship Navigator Program, ParentLink at the University of Missouri College of Education & Human Development (CEHD) helps caregivers find the resources and support they need.
Now, a competitive federal grant awarded to the Missouri Department of Social Services’ Children’s Division will help strengthen that work. Missouri was one of just six states nationwide selected for the three-year Kinship Navigator Evaluation Grant, which will support the program’s expansion and rigorous evaluation.
Supporting the people who step up
Kinship care occurs when children are raised by relatives or other trusted adults, often following a family crisis involving substance use, child abuse or neglect, incarceration parental illness, military deployment or the death of a parent. While these arrangements can provide continuity and a sense of belonging, caregivers often face complex challenges with little preparation or support.
“Kinship caregivers raising children outside of the foster care system are often trying to manage these situations on their own,” said Angela Nickell, associate director of New Programming and Kinship Caregiving at ParentLink. “They may not know what resources are available or where to turn for help.”
According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, an estimated one in 11 children lives in kinship care at some point before turning 18. For every child living with a relative in foster care, 18 to 19 more are being raised by relatives outside the system. Based on national trends, 170,000 to 200,000 children and their caregivers in Missouri may benefit from additional support.
MO KIN-4-KID serves both formal and informal kinship families, providing emotional and problem-solving support, parenting education, school enrollment assistance, and connections to essentials such as beds, clothing, diapers and food, as well as resources to assist with legal guidance and health services.
“Just knowing about us and our services is so important,” said Bradd Anderson, director of ParentLink, describing a foster family who contacted the kinship line while caring for a teenager and an infant.
By helping caregivers navigate unexpected challenges, the program works to create safer, more stable homes where children can thrive.
“Keeping children safely connected to their families and communities is one of the most effective ways to ensure their long-term well-being,” said Sara Smith, director of the Children’s Division. “Grandparents and relative caregivers take on immense responsibilities, often on short notice. Securing this competitive federal grant allows us to deliver tangible, individualized support directly to kinship caregivers, while building a sustainable foundation that strengthens Missouri families before a crisis escalates.”
Building a sustainable model
ParentLink, a statewide family education and support program housed within CEHD, has served Missouri families since 1989. Its Kinship Navigator Program has connected caregivers with assistance for approximately a decade, building partnerships within the University through Law School clinics and outside the University with Family Resource Centers and community organizations across Missouri.
During the first six months of the grant project, ParentLink and its partners will identify program enhancements and determine the best ways to deliver services. The following two and a half years will focus on implementation and evaluation, helping the team develop a replicable program and document outcomes.
“The evaluation grant allows ParentLink to participate in the project with the Children’s Division and evaluators to enhance our program,” Nickell said. “We’ll be developing new aspects of the program and determining what families and communities need.”
The program and evaluation results will be submitted to the federal Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse at the end of the three-year period, which evaluates evidence supporting programs for children and families. Achieving the necessary evidence rating could help Missouri access ongoing federal funds for eligible services and establish a model that other organizations and states could replicate.
Translating research into impact
The grant also creates an opportunity to better understand kinship families’ needs and improve how support reaches them. ParentLink has heard from families in 103 of Missouri’s 114 counties, demonstrating the statewide reach of its work.
Through evaluation and research, the team can identify service gaps, assess which approaches are most effective, and use those findings to strengthen program delivery.
For CEHD, this is translational research in action: bringing research and practice together to address challenges facing children, families and communities.
Need support? Kinship caregivers can call or text the MO KIN-4-KID Line at 1-833-546-4543, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for guidance and connections to community resources.