Kinship & Grandfamily Resources
This page is here to support grandparents, relatives, and others who are caring for children in kinship or grandfamily arrangements. Whether you're looking for legal information, child care resources, self-care tips, or help navigating mental health service options, we've gathered tools to help you feel informed and supported.
📖 Kinship Publications & Toolkits
GKS Network: Education Toolkit
Tools and steps to support kinship students and caregivers in school.
View toolkit (PDF)
6 Great Things About Kinship Families
Celebrate the love and strength of kin caregivers.
Read article
Grandfamilies.org
A national hub for laws, guides, and resources on kinship care.
Visit the site
Generations United
Policy reports, tip sheets, and publications on supporting grandfamilies.
Explore resources
🧘♀️ Self-Care & Mental Health
Caregiver Self-Care Tip Sheet
You can’t pour from an empty cup. These tips can help you make time for your well-being.
Read tips (PDF)
Supporting Youth Mental Health
Strategies to help support the mental health of the children in your care.
View youth mental health tips (PDF)
Five Ways to Support Teens with Depression
How to spot the signs and be there in the ways teens need most.
Read the article
Alabama's Perinatal Health Resources
Resources to support infant health and reduce infant mortality.
Visit the children’s health page
🏡 Family Support & Parenting
Alabama Kinship Navigator
A centralized site for locating local programs, legal help, benefits, and other services.
Visit the navigator
Adoption vs. Guardianship: What’s Right for You?
Compare adoption and guardianship to help decide what’s best for your family in Alabama.
View comparison chart (PDF)
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: A Practical Guide
This guide provides steps and support for navigating the challenges of raising grandchildren.
Read the guide
Kids and Kin Program
Free statewide program offering support, training, and resources for relatives providing childcare.
Learn more
Alabama Grandfamilies State Fact Sheet
Public benefits, education, legal options, and more – all in one place.
Download the 2025 updated (PDF)
Subsidized Childcare
The Alabama Department of Human Resources offers help paying for childcare.
Apply for assistance
Area Agencies on Aging
Alabama has 13 AAAs, each with an Aging & Disability Resource Center for caregiver services. Each AAA has an Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) for aging, disability, and caregiver help and services.
🌐 Find Your AAA
🥦 Nutrition & Food Access
Find Food Near You
Enter your zip code and discover nearby food pantries using this easy locator tool.
Use Food Finder
Alabama Food Banks
Serving all 67 counties in Alabama with free food resources.
Find food in your county
📚 Education & Skills Building
Online Safety & Parental Controls
Learn how to set controls on TikTok, Instagram, Roblox, and more.
Parental control guide
Free Online Courses (GCFGlobal)
Improve digital literacy, job skills, and more – all free and self-paced.
Start learning
Embrace Alabama Kids: Support for Success Program
Educational help for eligible kinship, foster, and adoptive families.
Learn more – applications open May 1, 2025
🛠 First Steps & Family Dynamics
Feeling Overwhelmed? Start Here.
Taking on care without child welfare involvement? Start with these steps.
First Steps for Kin Caregivers
When Parents Struggle with Substance Use
Help for families where parental substance use is a concern.
Supporting Families Through Substance Use
Answering Tough Questions
How caregivers can talk to children about a parent's absence.
Unanswered Questions (PDF)
Family Dynamics Tip Sheet
Guidance for managing tough conversations with family about caregiving roles.
Download the tip sheet (PDF)