Is Kids 'n Kinship right for my child?
Reflecting on the questions below can help you decide if Kids ‘n Kinship is right for your child.
If you live in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville or Rosemount and are the single parent, guardian or grandparent of a child aged 5 to 16 in need of healthy, positive, and supportive relationship with another adult or family, Kids ‘n Kinship may be right for you.
Does your child have a need for a positive adult role model because of inconsistent relationships with adults, the death of a parent or issues that affect the parent being able to meet their child’s emotional needs?
Are your child’s needs currently being met or are your child’s needs appropriately identified?
Does your child have mental health, behavior, attachment or physical issues that may prevent them from successfully interacting with a mentor, who may have little experience in these areas?
Is your child in need of additional adult support in the form of a friend? Kids ‘n Kinship volunteers go through a screening and training process but are not professional social workers/counselors.
Has your family addressed or is in the process of addressing needs that may be barriers to a long-term mentor relationship, such as having housing and a phone, counseling for family crisis such as recent deaths, physical and mental health or abuse situations?
Are you willing to support a mentor for your child by submitting an application, having a home visit by Kids ‘n Kinship staff and signing release of information forms?
Parent/guardian commitment is important!
You must agree to support your child in their match by having the child ready for the match get-togethers, being present when the child is picked up and brought home, not withholding mentoring as a punishment, communicating with the mentor and communicating with the Kids ‘n Kinship coordinator.
You will be assigned a Kids ‘n Kinship Coordinator who will provide support and help with any situations that may arise.
If you feel Kids ‘n Kinship is a right fit for your child, review the Parent FAQ and then complete the child application.
Kids ‘n Kinship will then seek a mentor to give your child the opportunity to spend time with a positive adult role model. This volunteer will spend at least 1 hour per week for at least one year with your child. They will participate in activities they both enjoy such as; fishing, baking, hiking, biking or just hanging out.
There is a waiting list. It may take us some time to find the right mentor for your child.
A staff person will contact you once your application is received. They will set a time to come to your home to visit you and your child when we are close to matching your child. We will also do a Release of Information to help us gather information about your child. This home visit is an opportunity for us to get to know your child so we can make the best possible match.
Once a match for your child is found, we will call you with a summary of the potential volunteer(s). If you believe they would be a good match for your child, a match visit would be set up for you and your child to meet the volunteer with your Kinship coordinator in your home. You, and the potential mentor, will have two days after meeting to decide if you wish to move ahead with a one-year match commitment.