Program aims to reduce risk factors and increases protective factors for children and youth by: - Connecting children with positive adults (Kin caregivers) - Educating and providing resources to relatives to navigate the complex system - Increase formal and informal placement with relatives and paternal family - Provide culturally specific training, such as 24/7 Dad's AM/PM curriculum, etc. - Provide equitable case management services Services including: - Education: Helps educate and empower families to better navigate the complexities of the system. Provides resources that focus on navigating the court system and becoming a better parent, with an emphasis on fathers/father figures. - Family Mentorship: Program replaces traditional case management by recognizing the oppression built into "managing family affairs". Mentors work with alongside families to educate, provide resources (i.e. swag bags, resource guides), and nurture familial bonds for improving the well-being of children and families. This service is currently offered in Saint Louis County. - National Relative Search: Offers a relative search service to GKC families actively working with. This allows the family mentor to identify possible relatives across state lines to determine possible placement options and nurture familial connections. - Support Groups: Provides a peer-to-peer support, for fathers and male care givers in south Saint Louis County

ECFE is a parenting education program for all Minnesota families with children between the ages of birth to Kindergarten entrance. Learning opportunities through ECFE may occur in a variety of settings, such as the families' homes, district or community sites, and online parenting education and support. Programming and education services often include parents/caregivers and children but may just include parents/caregivers. Services may include: - Book and toy lending library - Dad and child programs - Early childhood screening for children ages 3 - 5 - Home visits - Information on community resources - Parent-child activities - Parent discussion groups - Play and learn activities for children - Programs for non-English language learners - School readiness program for children age 3 1/2 - 4 - Single parent program - Special events for the entire family - Workshops on specific topics - Young parent program NOTE: Call for current class offerings and schedule of events

The Northstar Kinship Assistance program provides financial benefits to relative custodians who had legal and physical custody of their relative children permanently transferred to them through the court. Relatives who live outside of the state are also included in the program.

Provides information and licensing for individuals interested in becoming a foster care provider and kinship placement. Also provides: - Recruitment, adoption information, and registration for persons wanting to adopt older and special needs children - Post-adoption services including information regarding genetic searches, adoption assistance benefits, and resources

Services including: - Specialized information and referral to commonly-needed resources for kinship caregivers - Kinship Support Line to connect caregivers with resources - Online courses concerning kinship/relative adoption, strategies for supporting children affected by trauma, and child development information