More than 2.5 million children currently are being raised by their grandparents and other relatives, both formally through the child welfare system and informally through private family arrangements. These families often can get lost in the social service programs available.

That’s why the Child and Family Service Unit (CFS) at the Mashpee Wampanaog Tribe is in the process of establishing programs to help tribal members that may be in this type of situation. Please reach out to CFS at the tribe’s website (www.mashpeewampanoagtribe-nsn.gov) and fill out an intake assessment, once we receive it one of our staff will get back to you. If you prefer give us a call on our hot line at 508-562-9975 and state that you are calling about the Kinship Navigator program.

When these caregivers take on this responsibility, they often receive little to no financial support or advice regarding how to navigate the many systems they might need to access to meet the needs of the children in their care. While some child protection agencies are shifting toward a “kin first” culture and practice that prioritizes supporting kin caregivers, many still get lost in the competing demands of workers. Kinship navigator programs help fill that gap by providing caregivers with information, education, and referrals to a wide range of services and supports. The Navigator’s goal is to maximize the caregivers’ ability to provide safety and stability and, if needed, permanency for the children placed in their home.