Thought you were finished raising children?
 
                    You are not alone!
 
                       
                              www.mkca.org
              Improving lives of grandparents, relatives, and the children they’re raising.
Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Siblings…
     ...are you caring for children who are not your own?
     ...do you need information on rights?
     …do you need information on available resources?

Call us at  320-251-5081 Ext. 18  or  800-288-8549 Ext. 18
www.childcarechoices.net
Kinship Caregivers
 
The grandparents and relatives raising kin are real-life safety nets, keeping the children 
safe and families together when parents are unable to parent.  

The number of grandparents, relatives, and family friends parenting children is growing.  
Minnesota ranks 6th as the fastest growing in kinship families. 

According to census figures the number of grandparent-headed households has doubled in the past 10 years.  

Although there are many reasons why relatives are parenting, the issues faced are similar: legal, financial, emotional.
 
Support for Caregivers
 
Whether you have legal custody or not we can offer you support in the following ways:
*  Information and referrals for needed local resources.       
*  Local kinship support groups  located in many Minnesota communities.  Trained 
      facilitators guide the discussion, contact speakers, and organize activities.
*  Regional Service Agencies can connect caregivers with  mentors who understand the unique 
     challenges faced by  those raising a second family.
*  Local experts will present workshops on topics of  importance to kinships families. 
*  Legal Steps and First Steps manuals.
 
Local Support Groups
 
St. Cloud Area:  Meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 6-8PM at Child Care Choices
2901 Clearwater Rd - St. Cloud.  Call Crystal for more information 320-251-5081 ext. 18
 
Monticello Area:  Meets on the 1st Thursday of the month at 6:30 PM 
at the Community United Methodist Church, 925 Jason Ave NE in Monticello.  
For more information for this support group contact The Village Family Service Center at
763-441-3951.
 
Dassell Area:  Meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 12:30 to 2:00 PM.  We offer
free childcare.  Meeting is held at the Community Education Early Childhood Center
4852 Readon Ave SW in Cokato, MN  55321.  Call 320-286-4120 for more information.
 
Marshall Area:  This group meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 7:00 P at the Marshall YMCA.
For more information contact Angela Fales at 507-537-1416 or 800-658-2448
 
 
 
 
Minnesota Kinship Caregivers Association Region 3
Serving Benton, Big Stone, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Douglas, Grant, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle,   
Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Sherburne, Stearns, 
Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wright, Yellow Medicine Counties, Lower Sioux, Upper Sioux
 
We respect the privacy of all who call.  No mandatory paperwork or intrusion.