Grandparents, aunts, uncles raising kids alone, the Kinship Navigator Program is the lifeline they never knew existed.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS PODCAST

- What the Kinship Navigator Program (KNP) is and who it serves
- How KNP helps caregivers access legal, financial, and social support
- Why NJ's model is considered one of the nation's most comprehensive
- How KNP reduces racial disparities in child welfare outcomes
- What Kinship Legal Guardianship (KLG) means and why it matters
- How the Family First Prevention Services Act is reshaping KNP

Every day, relatives and close family friends step up to raise children when biological parents cannot. The Kinship Navigator Program serves as a one-stop resource connecting these caregivers to child care, housing, medical coverage, legal guardianship support, and financial aid, including TANF and SNAP, without requiring involvement in the formal foster care system. 

New Jersey caregivers can access services simply by dialing 2-1-1. Research shows KNP improves permanency outcomes, reduces foster care re-entry, lowers costs compared to formal dependency proceedings, and narrows racial equity gaps. Schools, courts, and advocacy groups all benefit as KNP stabilizes families before crises occur. 

The 2018 Family First Prevention Services Act now drives federal funding and evidence-based standards across all states.

Learn more about KNP Kinship Navigator Program by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/15/knp-kinship-navigator-program/

Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org

https://www.youtube.com/@KidlawACNJ