When parents are unable to care for their children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and other family members step in — often without warning, without resources, and without a roadmap. These grandfamilies and kinship caregivers are a powerful protective factor in the lives of vulnerable children, yet they frequently navigate complex systems largely on their own. This session explores the landscape of kinship care in Louisiana and across the nation, highlighting promising practices, policy levers, and community-based strategies that strengthen the support networks around kinship families. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how intentional, coordinated support for grandfamilies cultivates the safety, stability, and hope that children need to thrive.
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