Developing Multi-State Navigator Programs: Lessons, Models, and Opportunities

For over five years, Maine, Montana, Vermont, and Wyoming have been working together to develop, enhance, and evaluate a kinship navigator program model that serves all kinship families, whether foster care involved or not. This unique partnership, known as the Kinship Navigator Collaborative (KNC), is supported by Generations United, Casey Family Programs, and Dr. Angelique Day at the University of Washington. Kinship navigator leaders from three of the KNC's four states explored their lessons learned in creating and evaluating a kinship navigator model across multiple states. They highlighted how they've worked together and within their own unique state, elevated successful partnership models, funding strategies, and evaluation tips. Presenters: Travis Bryant, Executive Director, Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine & The Kinship Program Gabby McGuire, Kinship Navigator, Kinship Connections of Wyoming Chandra Ortiz, Navigation Programs & Community Impact Manager, Kinship Connections of Wyoming Peyton Vining, Program Manager, Montana Kinship Navigator Program