Washington State Kinship Navigator Program

The Washington State Kinship Navigator program is intended to support formal and informal kinship caregivers and the children they are raising. Washington state defines a kinship caregiver as any individual who steps in to raise a child when the child’s parents are unable to do so. The program is housed outside of the child welfare system but serves both caregivers who have been formally appointed through that system (formal kinship caregivers) and those who have not (informal kinship caregivers). The program connects caregivers with trained Kinship Navigators who provide services and support based on the caregiver’s needs.  

The Washington State Kinship Navigator program provides one of three levels of services based on the results of an initial intake and screening process. The initial intake is designed to identify the level of services needed and the types of services that would be most helpful for the family. Navigators may also conduct a more in-depth culturally responsive needs assessment in partnership with the caregiver that identifies (1) specific areas where the caregiver and children need support and (2) caregiver priorities among needs identified. Navigators then provide information on or coordinate access to relevant support services and community resources such as behavioral or physical health providers, childcare, financial or housing assistance, legal services, parenting classes, educational supports, in-home family services, and support groups.  

Navigators provide the first level of services, information assistance and referral, when the initial contact with the caregiver indicates their need can be addressed in a short communication (such as giving someone a phone number or a one-time referral). At this level, Navigators provide one-time assistance and educate caregivers about available resources and community services that caregivers can access themselves.  

Navigators provide the second level of services, case coordination, when the caregiver identifies a single area of minimal need at intake. At this level, Navigators provide case coordination services designed to help caregivers meet a single specific need. For example, Navigators might connect an informal kinship caregiver who needs to purchase clothing for the child with a state program that provides short-term funding to help informal kinship families meet basic needs.  

Navigators provide the third level of services, case management, when caregivers need more intensive support in two or more areas identified at intake. At this level, Navigators are required to administer the in-depth culturally responsive needs assessment in partnership with the caregiver. They then provide case management services designed to help caregivers set concrete and achievable goals and coordinate access to multiple services or resources. This may include connecting kinship caregivers with funding opportunities to help them meet urgent financial needs or connecting caregivers with peer-to-peer support to engage with other kinship families. The program offers trainings for the caregivers on trauma and other topics identified as relevant to their needs. It provides caregivers with online and in-person resources and educational tools related to kinship caregiving, services and supports, and the court process. 

Washington State Kinship Navigator Program does not currently meet criteria to receive a rating because no studies of the program achieved a rating of moderate or high on design and execution.

Date Research Evidence Last Reviewed: Nov 2023

Sources

The following sources informed the program or service description, target population, and program or service delivery and implementation information: the program or service manual, and the program or service developer’s website. 

This information does not necessarily represent the views of the program or service developers. For more information on how this program or service was reviewed, visit the Review Process page or download the Handbook.