Introducing VKAP’s new website!
It’s only fitting that Vermont Kin as Parents revamped our new website during National Kinship Care Month. Each September, the entire country stops to acknowledge the many grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, teachers, and friends who provide love and stability to children who need out-of-home care.
You are our heroes.
Studies have consistently shown that outcomes are better for children who remain with family members when they cannot be with their biological parents. Kinship care enables children to maintain their culture, identity, family and community bonds, and helps soften the emotional and psychological trauma of parental separation.
VKAP was created to support the families who make a difference every day in the lives of children in need of out-of-home care. We are available to help kinship caregivers navigate the intimidating (sometimes confusing) legal system, to better understand guardianship options, obtain financial assistance, and to connect with professionals and other kin parents for emotional support.
You may have noticed in recent months that VKAP has been more quiet than usual on our website and on social media. It is no exaggeration to say 2021 has been a year of profound change for our organization – some planned, some tragically unexpected.
As some of you may know, last March we lost one of VKAP’s founders and dedicated leaders, Linda Deliduka, to cancer. We also lost the amazing Lynn Granger, who was so instrumental in VKAP’s early days and who continued to provide steadfast support. On behalf of the Kin Community, we are grateful to have had her leadership.
The losses of Linda and Lynn are immense, and theirs are big shoes to fill. But VKAP is rising to the challenge and with renewed dedication. We are in the process of hiring and training new staff and expanding our capacity to serve. In fact, we are excited to announce we will soon have regional managers to assist kinship families in every corner of the state!
Last May, in collaboration with Community of Vermont Elders (COVE), VKAP also began production on a special documentary about kinship care. The Kinship Experience will explore the triumphs and challenges encountered by real families in our state. We are deeply grateful for the courageous families who opened their homes and hearts to us as we try to build awareness for kinship care in Vermont and beyond. The Kinship Experience is currently scheduled for release in early 2022. You can read more about it here .
Please take some time to check out our new website features and subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates delivered right to your inbox. And please don’t forget to follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/VTKinAsParents/.
For those who would like more specific information or wish to speak to a VKAP representative one on one, call us at (802) 871-5104 or email president@vermontkinasparents.org. We promise to respond within 24 hours in most cases.
Vermont Kin as Parents gives special thanks to all kinship caregivers for their commitment and dedication to our state’s amazing children. YOU make the world a better place for families and our communities, and we salute you today and every day.
