What's New

2019 Voices of Children – Raised by Grandparents and Other Relatives Contest

The 16th annual Washington State Voices of Children contest is for children and youth, ages 5 – 19 years of age being raised now or in the past by a relative, other than their parents. They are invited to write a short essay, poem, or submit a drawing that depicts how living with their kinship caregivers has made a positive difference in their life. Each child who enters the contest will have their artwork or written submissions included in a booklet called “Voices Of Children” (without their last name or location identified).

Entry and rule information is included on these English and Spanish contest flyers.  Prizes will be awarded to two entries in three different age groups:  5-7, 8-12 and 13-19 years old. The TwinStar Credit Union will once again provide $100 to each winner, along with a free night at Great Wolf Lodge for a family of four!  Entry postmark deadline is April 1, 2019. Please help spread the word to anyone you know connected to Kinship Families.

Previous winners

Third Act Magazine Article

"Grandparents Raising Grandkids: You don’t have to do it all on your own", by Ann Hedreen (Fall 2018)

Local Kinship Navigator and State Program Highlighted in KinCare Today Magazine

Read the article

Seven Unsung Kinship Care Heroes Honored

Each year, WA State’s Department of Early Learning (DEL) receives nominations from around the state for Unsung Hero Awards for Parents and Caregivers. The winning heroes have a page in their honor printed in the Seattle's Child magazine--one for each day in February.  They and their families are also recognized at a special dinner and honoring ceremony in their honor put on by DEL.

In 2018, a record seven of the 28 Unsung Heroes represent kinship care:

Now Available

Free Kinship Care and Foster Parent Families Annual Passes to the Seattle Aquarium and Pacific Science Center