Virtual Resource Kit: Relative Caregiving
A dramatic change may occur in families when a relative is called on to care for a child in need. There is often little notice and little time to prepare for this experience. Parenting a relative’s child is a unique caregiving role; it impacts the dynamics of the immediate and extended family. We designed this kit to provide links to services, resources, and perspectives to help the relative caregiver navigate their new role.
Tip Sheets
Getting Started as a Relative or Kinship Caregiver
This tip sheet is for those new to relative caregiving and covers everything from the differences between guardianship and adoption to co-parenting and self-care.
Navigating Family Relationships as a Relative Caregiver
This tip sheet guides readers through changes in relationships with the child, the extended family, and one’s partner during relative caregiving.
The Emotional Journey of Relative Caregiving
There’s grief and loss, as well as joy, in becoming a relative caregiver. It’s healthy to be aware of the myriad of emotions that come with this role and to embrace how normal this rollercoaster of feelings is for kinship caregivers.
Is Adoption or Guardianship a Better Fit?
Relative caregivers often face decisions about the legal status of their relationship with the children they are caring for. This tip sheet provides the basic information needed to understand the differences in roles and decide what is best for your family.
Caregiver Trauma and Resilience: Tips to Keep Caring
Caring for traumatized children takes an emotional and physical toll. This tip sheet offers guidance on recognizing burnout and fatigue, along with ideas for renewing and recharging.
Champion Classrooms Courses and Webinars
Relative Caregiver Series
The Relative Caregiver series is a collection of recorded webinars designed to meet the needs of relative caregivers. The series of webinars is available on demand and free of charge.
Lying as Trauma-Driven Behavior
This webinar teaches participants about trauma, which may present as challenging behaviors like lying. Caregivers will learn how to respond to trauma behaviors by creating a sense of safety and trust.
Grief and Loss in Foster Care and Adoption
All children and caregivers experience grief and loss when children are removed from their parents’ homes. Participants will learn about symptoms of grief, triggers, and what they can do with those feelings of loss.
No Matter What Families Video
Kinship Brings Change
Resource Library Items
Fostering Across Wisconsin Newsletter: Relatives Caring for Children
This issue of Fostering Across Wisconsin is devoted to information about relative caregiving, specifically the changing roles of the relative caregiver within the family and in their own lives.
The Grandfamily Guidebook – Wisdom and Support for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, by Andrew Adesman, MD, and Christine Adamec
Additional Weblinks and Recommended Online Resources
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Kinship Navigator
This search tool was designed to meet the specific needs of relative caregivers and provide them with local services and resources related to Healthcare, Caregiver Wellness, Education, Legal Services, and Child & Youth Mental Health.
Wisconsin Family Caregiver Support Programs
This statewide program provides information and assistance to help people better care for their loved ones, including those age 55 and older caring for relative children.
