Description

School can bring both opportunities and challenges for kinship families. From enrollment and paperwork, to advocating for services, to helping children adjust socially and emotionally—navigating the education system isn’t always easy.

Roots & Wings is a supportive group designed to help kinship caregivers understand how to set children up for success in school. Together, we’ll explore topics like navigating special education services, understanding IEPs, finding school-based resources to meet your child’s needs, and knowing who to reach out to when challenges arise just to name a few.

This group provides encouragement, practical tools, and real-life guidance to help you feel more confident advocating for your child’s education—while connecting with others who truly understand the unique experiences of kinship families. Bring your school questions and join us for this informative 12 week group!

This group will start as a weekly group meeting for 12 weeks and will meet every Tuesday at 7 PM EST for 12 weeks, and participants will be eligible for a financial stipend for their time and feedback about the group experience. The group will begin meeting once a minimum number of participants are registered, ensuring a strong and connected group experience. Join us for supportive time to talk and bring your lunch! We are excited to meet you!

About the Facilitator:

Merlin Jones Smalley is a recently retired FRYSC agent with Jefferson County Public Schools. Merlin is a kinship caregiver and is knowledgeable in resources available to support kinship families through the public school systems in Kentucky.  Merlin has facilitated a School Readiness Group and a Kinship Support Group previously and is well-informed on all resources available to families!

This Kinship Support Group Pilot will begin once we have enough participant registrations.