Kinship Care Resource List
Find the Support and Services You Need

Kinship Care is a term used to identify people who are raising family members, other than their own children. Normally this term is associated with grandparents who are raising their grandchildren, due to an a variety of circumstances. But, if you are an aunt or uncle, a cousin, or sibling, raising a dependent child, you meet the criteria, as well. Over 35,000 people in Washington State are caring for a relative’s child.

The financial, legal, and emotional issues of raising a relative’s child can be challenging. Services and support when raising a relative’s child can be a lifesaver. It is for that reason that we have assembled this list of resources.

Here are a few facts regarding Kinship care in Washington state...

• There are 61,905 children living in grandparent-headed households (4.1% of all the children in the state).


• There are another 24,086 children living in households headed by other relatives (1.6% of all the children in the state).


• Of the children living in households headed by grandparents or other relatives in Washington, 35,761 are living there without either parent present.


• 35,341 grandparents report they are responsible for their grandchildren living with them (7,903 in King County and 5,364 in Pierce County): 6% of these grandparents are African American; 10% are Hispanic/Latino; 5% are American Indian or Native Alaskan; and 48% are White.


• 39% of these grandparents live in households without the children’s parents present. 71% are under the age of 60; 13% live in poverty.

Island County

San Juan County

Skagit County

Snohomish County

Whatcom County

Washington State Kinship Navigators

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