INTRODUCTION

KINSHIP CARE PROGRAM INFORMATION SERIES SELF-STUDY

Kinship Care Families Information Series-developed as a curriculum guide to enable Kinship Care Families to enhance their quality of family life. The lessons below are part of the eight-week information series offered periodically throughout the year at varying locations in Kalamazoo County. This web site is intended as a self-study but kinship families are encouraged to enroll in the series to receive full benefit of the facilitator's knowledge and from other families who are raising relative children.

Development of the materials was made possible through funding provided by the Michigan Department of Human Services, Strong Families/Safe Children program community coordinating council of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Strong Families/Safe Children is a federal initiative aimed at reducing child abuse and neglect.

The authors of this project were assembled from the professional fields of child development, parenting, adult education, psychology, gerontology, and law. The curriculum was guided by an Advisory Committee comprised of professionals from social services, mental health, senior services, clergy, and the legal arena. Also included were lay members of the American Association for Retired Persons and grandparents from the community who were raising their grandchildren.

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