Relatives As Parents

Thought you were finished raising children?

                   

You are not alone!

Call us at  320-251-5081 Ext. 18  or  800-288-8549 Ext. 18

                     

  
 www.mkca.org
  Committed to the safety, stability, and well being of children in relative care-giving families.

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?

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.

Caregiver Newsletter - for the latest issue click here 

Local Support Groups

St. Cloud Area:  Meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 6:30-8PM at Child Care Choices
2901 Clearwater Rd - St. Cloud.  Call Crystal for more information 320-251-5081 ext. 18.  Dinner and child care provided.

Dassell/Cokato Area:  Meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 6:00 to 7:30 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.
Free child care if your contact them 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
For more information contact Nancy Vierstraete at 1-800-658-2448

Elbow Lake Area:  Meets on the 2nd Thursday of every month from 6:30-8:00 PM at the Thorson Memorial Library in Elbow Lake.  For more information contact Connie at 218-966-8515.
 

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.

"Provided with Title II-E NFCS grant funds through MN Area Agencies on Aging and the MN Board on Aging"