The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #39335

Barbara Fuller, RN, MA, MS, Center for Healthy Communities Wright State University, 140 E. Monument Ave, Dayton, OH 45402, 937-775-1116, barbara.fuller@wright.edu

A comprehensive kinship (relatives raising children other than their own) program developed by a few core agencies in Dayton Ohio has expanded to 41 organizations and kinship caregivers. Kinship caregivers' needs were determined by surveys, focus groups, and interviews held with kinship caregivers and community organizations. Caregivers and organizations indicated an individual was needed to educate caregivers regarding community resources and assist them to obtain services.

Three Kinship Navigators or Community Health Advocates serve as a liaison between caregivers and agencies, provide information to families, intervene to facilitate a referral or solve problems in accessing community services. Examples include helping a kinship family obtain custody, apply for financial or medical assistance, or resolve a financial crisis.

The Dayton kinship program has grown far beyond the original objectives, and its accomplishments impact caregivers, agencies and the state, Other program accomplishments include a subsidized housing program, two Kinship Klosets, quarterly newsletter and other resource materials, and state coalition and newsletter.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify kinship caregiver needs according to local and national research and provide current statistical information.
• Define the term Kinship Navigator and describe their role in assisting kinship families.
• Discuss other program accomplishments of a community based kinship care program.

Keywords: Underserved Populations,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.