Kinship
Check out this message from Abby Keiser, Director of Family Life Services, about online support available to kinship caregivers during this time of group meeting restrictions.
COBYS is currently offering online Kinship support and educational services. Learn more.
Are you raising a relative’s child?
Kinship arrangements are often unanticipated and can result in a range of unique household needs and challenges. Support is available!
Kinship Support Sessions: If you are a Kinship Caregiver raising a relative’s child, you are not alone. There are many kinship caregivers in Lancaster County. Meeting with other grandparents, aunts and uncles who are raising a relative’s child offers valuable support from people that understand the unique challenges that your family is experiencing.
Join us each week on Zoom to check in and talk about topics specific to kinship care and connect with people in similar situations. Unfamiliar to Zoom? We will talk you through the setup! Or you may also join by using your phone.
Please see below for session and workshop dates/times.
Email kinship@cobys.org or call 717-435-8139 to receive help in navigating systems, information about your rights, and connections to resources in your community.
Join Our Community
Attend groups, information sessions, and family programs for information and support specific to kinship caregivers. Network with other grandparents (or other relatives) that are going through similar experiences.
Email to register for any of our free programs. Registration is required.
Kinship Sessions
Tuesday evenings, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
January 19 — Mindfulness: What is it and Why is it Important?
January 26 — Journaling and Personal Writing Skills to Release Stress
February 2: Resilience: Capacity, Reflection, Strengths and Factors
February 9: The Impact of Trauma on Children and Youth (Part I)
February 16: The Impact of Trauma on Children and Youth (Part II)
February 23: Strategies To Address Trauma (Part I)
March 2: Strategies to Address Trauma (Part II)
March 9: Coping with Challenging Behaviors (Part I)
March 16: Coping with Challenging Behaviors (Part II)
March 23: Managing Emotions (Part I)
March 30: Managing Emotions (Part II)
Please email kinship@cobys.org to register.
Kinship Workshops – Online via Zoom
Saturday mornings, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
February 20 — Helping Your Child with Social Skills
March 20 — Coached Play: Let’s Increase our Relationship with our Children Through Play
Please email kinship@cobys.org to register.
Kinship Support Services Program Information Sheet
I like watching our birth children and foster children interact as though they’ve always been together. None of them seem to notice that our family members look completely different from one another. – COBYS Resource Parents Austin and Cathy