Engaging Caregivers in the Community January 21, 2026

There is the age-old myth in working with kinship families: “Our organization has services in place, but I can’t get caregivers to show up. They must not need or want them.”

This myth is not only inaccurate, but harmful in our approach to serving families. Drs. Caliendo and Tobin are here to break this myth and provide intentional and practical strategies for engaging kinship families in the community.

It is well documented in research that kinship families want and need support and effectively engaging them is key. This begins with trust and mutual respect, which does not fit in transactional checkboxes, but with a relational approach. By centering lived experience, creating welcoming environments, and listening to what caregivers say they need, we build authentic relationships that connect families to both formal systems and community-based support. This is the space where genuine engagement, change, and positive outcomes happen.