Kinship care is the full-time care and nurturing of a child by a relative. According to the Year 2000 Census, relatives are raising over 345,000 children in Florida, nearly 10% of the state’s child population. Some of the challenges that kinship caregivers face include financial and legal assistance, respite, mental health services and affordable housing. Additionally, many caregivers face difficulties in enrolling their grandchildren in school or obtaining medical services due to informal arrangements with the biological parents.

To respond to the needs of and issues facing these families, the Florida Kinship Center was established in 1998. The Center’s mission is to serve kinship care families living in Florida, engage the resources of the Center in partnerships that respond to kinship care needs and issues and conduct research that advances knowledge and understanding of kinship care. Through innovative programs, services and partnerships, the Florida Kinship Center helps support kinship caregivers, children, and the entire kinship family.