Kinship Connection Newsletter | December 2025

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December 2025 Issue:


Portrait of playful family running in winter forest all smiling happily in sunlight

About Kinship Connection

Welcome to the Kinship Connection Newsletter. Inside this newsletter you’ll find resources that are specifically meant to support kin families.

Being with family has long-term positive impacts on mental health and placement stability. Research shows that children do better when placed with kin across every measured health factor. 

Our agency is committed to placing children with kin when possible and supporting kin caregivers.

Visit the Kinship Caregivers Webpages

Kinship Caregivers | Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families


Alliance Trainings

Kinship Parenting — Dec. 10, 1 to 3 p.m. Register Here

This webinar acknowledges the complexities associated with caring for children who are related, including: divided loyalties, redefining roles and relationships, setting boundaries with parents and other relatives, and the range of emotions including anger, resentment, guilt and/or embarrassment that caregivers can feel. Strategies for how to manage family dynamics and conflicts, identify triggers, and effectively manage stress are shared.


Financial Aid Resources

Are you looking for resources on college financial aid? Check out the new resource from Grandfamilies and Kinship Support Network.


Note: This will be the last issue of this newsletter for the remainder of the year. DCYF is working on revamping its newsletters to ensure content is relevant, useful, and timely for its readers.


An Important Message From the Social Service Payment System (SSPS) Regarding Payments

Grandparents, mom and excited children walking at beach or lake on winter holiday adventure in nature.

 


Tips for the Alliance's New Learning Management System

Old woman work at home using notebook computer.

As you've probably seen, the Alliance has launched a new training platform.

To view and register for a training, you need to complete your profile and login to the new system. Please create only one account and, when possible, use the same email as for the old system. Your certificates from the old system will be transferred to the new system. If you have questions or need help registering for the new catalog, please reach out to AllianceSupport@uw.edu.

Changing your category or profile type

Anyone can change the category of their profile at any time. In Settings, scroll down to Custom. Select the Alliance Group drop-down menu. All caregivers should select the "Caregivers" Alliance Group option. Complete the attestation then click Save to see the caregiver courses.


Updated Kinship Resources

Learning, child and black woman in kitchen for baking, recipe or cake ingredients at home.