2026 KinFirst Convening: Rooted in Kin, Growing Together

Kinnect hosted the 2026 KinFirst convening on March 27, 2026 in Newark, Ohio to bring together child welfare leaders, kinship support advocates, and community partners to explore how systems could better center families and kin caregivers in decisions that affect children’s lives. The event focused on strategies for strengthening kinship placements, building caregiver capacity, and fostering supportive networks that help children thrive. The convening offered opportunities to learn about innovative kin-support models, deepen partnerships with kinship and child welfare providers, and identify ways TANF services could align with kin-centered approaches to enhance family stability and economic wellbeing. There was a registration fee for participation.