Kinship Program
Kinship Care
Kinship care is an extended family home that’s approved to care for a child or youth in care. The caregiver has a family relationship or significant connection to the child – for example, grandparent, aunt or close family friend. Supports for kinship care provide supports to a child and caregivers in kinship care.
Our Goals in the Kinship Program
To promote and provide for the child's need for safety, protection, emotional, physical, mental and spiritual well-being
To promote, support, unity and wellness for family; establish and maintain a positive working relationships with families;
To encourage community involvement; to educate the community about our program; to establish and maintain positive working relationships with community service-providers and to encourage community involvement
Role of a Kinship Caregiver
Children living in kinship require love, comfort, security and stability. Atikameg kinship care program is based on the belief that whenever possible, children will have the opportunity to live with extended family or those they feel connected to and that these connections promote the overall well-being of children and youth. Kinship care program allows for a child who needs to come into care to be placed immediately with someone familiar in Whitefish Lake First Nation #459.
Kinship Caregivers
Take care of the day-to-day needs of the child residing in their care, including the child’s physical, emotional, spiritual and cultural needs
Work as part of a team with the child, the parents and extended family, support network, caseworker, and other professionals
May participate in training that enhances and develops their parenting skills or is specific to the needs of the children in their care
Participate in planning meetings
Support and facilitate appropriate contact between the child and their own family
Kinship Caregivers Provide
A child with love and care in a familiar setting
Families with a sense of trust, stability and comfort
Guidance and reinforcement of a child’s cultural identity and positive self-esteem
An ability to support and maintain lifelong traditions and memories
Support to a child in building healthy relationships within the family
If you are interested in becoming a Kinship Care Provider for our Nation, please call our Kinship Team:
