Kinship Caregiver
Kinship Caregiver Navigators are Here to Help You!
The Kinship Caregiver Pilot Program is a New Mexico initiative designed to assist kinship caregivers such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, other relatives, and fictive kin who are raising children whose parents are unable to care for them.
The program’s core purpose is to provide support on a voluntary basis, helping caregivers find and use programs and services that meet the needs of both the children in their care and the caregivers themselves.
Eligibility requirements for the applicant are as follows:
- is a Kinship Caregiver
- is 18 years of age or older
- resides in one of the participating counties (as of 11/1/2025, Rio Arriba, San Juan)
- voluntarily chooses to participate in the program, as evidenced by the participant’s signature on a program agreement
Eligibility is not contingent upon immigration status
What do I need to apply for the Kinship Caregiver Program?
- Valid state or federal government-issued photo ID
- Proof of Kinship Guardianship is required for participation in the program. The following documents are available for download.
For non-school aged children, complete and return the Kinship Caregiver Affidavit form
For school aged children, complete and return the Kinship School Verification form
How do I apply?
Welcome to our Online Application –Kinship Caregiver Program!
The Online Application is for interested applicants who would like to apply for the Kinship Caregiver Program for referral and case management assistance.
Apply NOW!
FAQs
What is the Kinship Caregiver Pilot Program?
The Kinship Caregiver Support Program assists grandparents, aunts, uncles, other relatives, and family friends (“kinship caregivers”) who are raising children whose parents are unable to care for them.
We provide support on a voluntary basis, helping caregivers who seek our help to find resources that meet their needs and the needs of the children in their care.
We partner with private, public, state, and tribal programs to connect caregivers with needed services. Program navigators help with information and referrals, including legal assistance as well as case management. Monthly economic supports for 50 eligible participants are available on a first-come, first-served basis. At this time, this is a pilot program offered to residents of Rio Arriba and San Juan counties.
What is a Kinship Caregiver?
A kinship caregiver is any person, other than the child’s parents or formal foster parent, who is raising a child or children and living together as a family unit.
What does Kinship mean?
Kinship means family members and relatives by birth, adoption, and/or clanship.
- Blood-related kinship: Relatedness by blood or common descent. This includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, as well as siblings.
- Affinal kinship: Relatedness through marriage. This category includes in-laws, such as a spouse, mother-in-law, or brother-in-law.
- Fictive kinship: Social relationships treated as if they were kinship. This can include godparents, adopted children, or close family friends who are referred to as “aunt” or “uncle,” and who often have the same responsibilities as blood or marital kin.
Can I be a Kinship Caregiver?
Yes, you are raising a child or children in the absence of the child’s parents.
Will I be paid to be a Kinship Caregiver?
Payment in the form of a salary or wage will not be offered to you as a Kinship Caregiver. For some income-eligible caregivers, philanthropic partners will issue monthly payments for necessities. These payments are only available to a limited number of participants on a first-come, first-served basis. To be eligible for a monthly payment, the applicant must be a Kinship Caregiver from one of the participating counties, be physically raising a child, be participating in the pilot program, have a signed Program Requirements and Consent form, and meet income guidelines. Participation in the Kinship Caregiver program is not a guarantee of eligibility for stipends.
What services does the program provide?
We offer education to Kinship Caregivers and service providers about an array of resources and supports, including free legal assistance. Our navigators also help caregivers by:
- Making referrals to appropriate services, including legal services
- Helping to establish and maintain relationships between caregivers and service providers
- Connecting to peer-to-peer support networks
- Providing consultation and advocacy for Kinship Caregivers
- Following up with caregivers after referrals are provided
- Case management
What legal services are offered?
As a kinship caregiver, especially an informal caregiver, you may need legal services such as guidance on obtaining guardianship or custody to make important decisions for the child(ren) in your care. You may also need help with accessing services, navigating the foster care system, and securing financial subsidies. Legal professionals can also assist you with other needs like adoption, wills, and powers of attorney. This program connects you to those services at no cost.
I have no transportation. How will I get to program activities or trainings or appointments?
Through referrals, after the first assessment is completed, local community programs that offer transportation services will be linked into your referral/s.
How will this benefit the children I am caring for?
When you have what you need—whether it is a supportive group of others who have experienced what you are experiencing, help with health insurance, access to healthy food, transportation, utilities assistance, housing or home modification, childcare, or something specific to your family’s situation—the children in your care will also benefit.
Will someone visit me at my house? If so, what will the visit be about?
Yes. A Navigator will visit your home to complete a needs assessment and care plan with goals. After that, you and your navigator will develop a plan to meet your needs and goals and your navigator will check in with you regularly until those goals are met, whether in-person or by phone as you prefer.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a kinship caregiver
- Is 18 years of age or older
- Live in one of the participating counties
- Voluntarily choose to be in the program by signing the program agreement
- Not be receiving financial support for caring for the child(ren) from the Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD).
How long will I be in the program?
Each person is different, and it depends on your primary needs and goals.
Why is this a pilot program?
The Kinship Caregiver program is a 3-year pilot that will be evaluated continuously to determine if it is meeting its goal of providing stability to kinship caregiver families by connecting them to needed resource. If we meet our goal of supporting you and your family, we hope the program will grow and become permanent