The Challenge

Children cannot always remain in their home. 

• It is estimated that in North Dakota there are just under 10,000 children living in homes where a parent is not present (Grandfamilies, 2021)

• In North Dakota 40% of children in foster care get placed with relative or fictive kin. Only 20% of those become lisensed foster parents

North Dakota needed a way to support those who provide full time care of a child who is not their own. 

The Plan

The Kinship-ND program is funded through a federal Children’s Bureau and authorized in the 2018 federal Family First Prevention Services Act. The Kinship-ND program started providing navigator services to North Dakota Caregivers in March 2021. 

Kinship-ND assists caregivers with 

• One-on-one support

• Assistance with information, resources, and other programs

• Limited financial assistance

• Home Page Link

• Program Application Link

• Kinship-ND contact information:

  • email: kinship@nd.gov 

  • phone number: 701-328-1453