When crisis, substance abuse, mental illness, incarceration, economic hardship, divorce, domestic violence, or other challenges take parents from a child, other family members often step up to fill the gap. Edgewood Kinship Support Services Network (Edgewood Kinship) supports these courageous and caring grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings.

Edgewood believes that children should first be supported in the homes of relatives and remain in their communities. Research shows it is better for the child, and it is also a less expensive alternative to traditional foster care. Yet, few resources exist for kinship caregivers. Edgewood Kinship was created in 1998 to fill the gaps in public social services available to relative caregivers. Then, it was the first program of its kind. Today, Edgewood’s innovative program is a model for similar programs across the U.S.

Relative caregivers often have special needs linked to age, poverty, poor health, social isolation, and inadequate access to information and services. Edgewood Kinship addresses the unique needs of each caregiver and child by providing referrals to basic services, support from others who’ve “been there,” and a break from daily stresses. It’s a formula that works for caregivers and their children.

A recent study conducted by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has found that kinship care is more beneficial for children than foster care.  Read the article here.