Engaging Caregivers in the Community

Research documents that kinship families want and need support, and effectively engaging them is key. This begins with trust and mutual respect, which does not fit in with transactional checkboxes, but with a relational approach. By centering lived experience, creating welcoming environments, and listening to what caregivers say they need, one can successfully build authentic relationships that will connect families to both formal systems and community-based support. 

The Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network will host a free webinar on January 21, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. ET to 3:30 p.m. ET, offering some key elements of building trust for lasting partnerships with kin. Presenters will focus on: 

• Building trust through lived experience, empathy, listening, and holding space for personal stories;
• Ensuring caregiver representation as key stakeholders in all aspects of the organization;
• Designing safe and welcoming physical and virtual spaces that reflect caregiver needs;
  • Considerations for accessibility (i.e., transportation, childcare, internet/device access, flexible times, etc.);
  • Matching service options to caregivers’ individual strengths and needs;
• Emphasizing hospitality and customer service;
• Using a bottom-up approach to programming that responds to what caregivers ask for;
• Practicing trauma-informed outreach to reduce barriers and foster connection; and
• Serving as a bridge to both formal services and informal community supports once trust is built.