When unexpected loss reshaped her family overnight, one aunt found guidance, resources, and reassurance through ACH’s Kinship Navigator program.
About a year ago, Ana a mother of four children, stepped into a caregiving role no one ever plans for. Overnight, Ana took in three nieces and nephews after the children’s mother suddenly passed away. In an instant, her household suddenly grew, bringing with it more responsibility, higher expenses, and deep grief.
“It all hit at once,” Ana shared. “I didn’t always know what to do or what was coming next.”
Ana became a kinship caregiver outside of the foster care system and without a CPS case. Families in these situations often face the same challenges as foster families, but with fewer formal support.
Case In Point
A school counselor called about concerns with one of the children in Ana’s care. Ana was caught off guard and wasn’t sure what it meant or what she was supposed to do next. Everything felt uncertain. Not long after, she connected with a Kinship Navigator at ACH Child and Family Services, who helped bring clarity during an overwhelming moment.
That conversation changed everything.
Navigators walk alongside caregivers, helping them understand their options, and connecting them to resources during difficult transitions.
Over the past year, the Kinship Navigator worked closely with Ana to create stability for her family. Together, they tackled immediate needs like enrolling the children in Medicaid and SNAP, applying for programs that offered the children new beds, and securing everyday necessities such as diapers, pajamas, toiletries, and school supplies.
Support Beyond the Basics
ACH’s Kinship Navigator also helped connect the family to affordable haircuts through a community partnership and invited them to attend ACH’s Back-to-School event, to receive free school supplies, and holiday events, such as Christmas and Halloween celebrations, for free, festive fun.
Those moments mattered. “Every time I told the kids we were going to an ACH event, they got so excited,” Ana said. “With a lot of kids, it’s hard and expensive to do family outings. These experiences meant so much to them.”
One favorite memory was an expenses-paid family day trip to Fossil Rim, a bright, joyful moment during an otherwise heavy season.
Prioritizing Emotional Support
The children had experienced the loss of their mother, and their fathers were not in the picture. Some of the children participated in skill-building classes, while others began counseling services through community partners. Ana and her spouse even attended couples’ counseling, something she later described as unexpectedly helpful amid the stress and change.
ACH also helped address one of the biggest hurdles Ana faced: legal support.
As Ana and her husband move forward with adoption, ACH provided assistance toward legal fees, easing a significant financial burden. What once felt overwhelming became manageable — one step at a time.
Building a Stronger Future Together
Reflecting on Ana’s journey, our Kinship Navigator shared, “She has been such a wonderful caregiver to work with. She is resilient and persevering, and she always wanted to do everything she could for the children in her care. As she transitions out of the program, it is bittersweet. I am incredibly proud of everything she has accomplished, even as we prepare to say goodbye.”
For Ana, the greatest impact of Kinship Navigator was not feeling alone. “It’s an amazing program,” she said. “There are so many resources, and you don’t feel like everything is falling apart because you finally know what comes next.”
Ana’s story reflects the heart of Kinship Navigator — meeting families where they are, walking alongside them through uncertainty, and helping them build a stronger future together.
About Kinship Navigator
ACH’s Kinship Navigator program serves families outside the child welfare system who are caring for a relative’s children. The program offers outreach, education, and hands-on support, connecting caregivers to essential resources such as food, clothing, medical care, school support, and legal aid.
Many kinship caregivers step in during a crisis with little preparation or guidance. Kinship Navigator walks alongside these families, providing stability, emotional support, and help navigating complex systems. By empowering caregivers and connecting them to a supportive community, the program helps children remain in safe, familiar homes with the love of extended family — preventing entry into the foster care system.