Kinship Advisory Council Overview

Please review the Kinship Advisory Council Overview and complete the survey application by June 28th, 2024. If you have any questions regarding the application, please contact Jessica Bodell at Bodellj1@michigan.gov.
-Thank you!

Vision
Study the prevalence and needs of kinship caregivers and the children they care for and advocate for reform that would contribute to a better coordinated, consumer friendly, and family-centered system.

The Kinship Advisory Council (KAC) serves to:
  • Establish a public awareness campaign to educate the public about kinship caregivers and the state’s efforts to better serve kinship caregivers by increasing visibility of the Kinship Support Program.
  • Consult and collaborate with the Kinship Support Program on the design and administration of that program.
  • Identify gaps and barriers for kinship families in 1. Service awareness, coordination, and utilization 2. Peer support 3. Use of technologies to create pathways to resources and supports.
  • Ensure equity is considered when broader systemic strategic suggestions are made.
  • Devise a plan of action for engaging with support groups and programs providing services to kinship families to obtain a better understanding of the issues facing kinship families.
Members of the KAC include current and former kinship caregivers, individuals who grew up in kinship care, leaders from the Kinship Support Program, MDHHS representatives, private agency employees, child welfare experts, representatives from related systems, and others.

There are two types of membership to the KAC: appointed and selected. Selected members join the council through the following application process. Their lived expertise or professional role provide community perspective and support the council’s goals.

Decisions about membership appointment and selection are made by the KAC Leadership Group. MDHHS staff communicate membership appointment or selection on behalf of the KAC Leadership Group and will provide new members with the Charter, a brief history of the KAC, and relevant materials.

Council Participation Guidelines
Council member expectations include:
  1. Attend all quarterly meetings in the format provided which include in-person at a location in Lansing and through a virtual meeting platform.
  2. Contribute to meetings by sharing your thoughts and opinions in a constructive and considerate manner.
  3. Participate in at least one subcommittee and attend regular subcommittee meetings. Workgroups meet virtually once a month.
  4. At least a one-year commitment is preferred. Council members may serve on the council as long as they are able to fulfill the membership expectations.
Council Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the council may include the following:
  • Be an ambassador of kinship care and act as a bridge between the KAC and your community/network regarding KAC goals and initiatives by clearly articulating goals and recommendations; leveraging personal and professional networks to support those goals/recommendations when appropriate; and not spreading misinformation or information that conflicts with the goals of the group.
  • Participate in training and learning opportunities to understand the Kinship Support Program.
Subcommittees or workgroups include:
Awareness and Education
Kinship Navigation
Gaps and Barriers

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* 1. Please provide your First and Last Name

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* 2. In an effort to ensure council membership is ethnically diverse please specify your ethnicity.

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* 3. Please enter your e-mail address

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* 4. Please check all boxes that include council positions which you could represent:

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* 5. If you are a child welfare private agency or MDHHS employee, please provide details that demonstrate your professional and if applicable, personal, commitment to kinship care in Michigan.

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* 6. What motivated you to apply to be a part of the council?

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* 7. What is your long-term vision for kinship care in Michigan and is there anything additional you would like to share for membership consideration?

 
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