Kinship Navigation

Support for children and their kinship caregivers
(833) 572-2053 Katherine.Spoon@OneLFS.org

What is Kinship Navigation?

The Lutheran Family Services Kinship Navigator program is a voluntary service that helps kinship caregivers and children.

Kinship families comprise relatives or non-relatives who have assumed parental responsibilities of children for biological parents. Most kinship caregivers are grandparents caring for their grandchildren, and many of them lack availability and/or awareness of needed resources. LFS’ goal is to provide support to caregivers and families to access resources in the community and give them the opportunity to share their stories with a kinship navigator and access monthly support group meetings with other families.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Kinship program focuses on early prevention to keep children out of the formal child welfare system, with emphasis on safety, placement stability, and shared parenting and education to strengthen and preserve kinship care families.

    Services are rooted in best practice, evidence-based practices, and fidelity for family-driven and culturally/linguistically competent services. Caregivers learn about, find, and engage with services and linkages to meet their children’s and their own needs.

  • Services are currently available statewide.

    To qualify, you must be providing kinship care for a child who has not become a ward of the state and resides in the State of Nebraska.

  • Lutheran Family Services is committed to providing kinship caregivers with the resources they need, both online and off.

    • AARP Grandfamilies Guide
      • Intended for grandparents who have begun caring for a grandchild, this guide provides helpful tips, resources and information that you need to know. Click here to learn more.

LFS adopted the Arizona Kinship Support Services (AKSS) model in 2023 to expand and enhance programming. The AKSS model has been rated as supported by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Federal Clearinghouse which is given to models of treatment that exhibit proven evidence of success through a rigorous vetting process. It is supported by Nebraska DHHS.

This program is funded by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

DHHS News Release on Kinship Benefits

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