Program Overview

Introduction to the Kinship Care Families Program

The Kinship Care Families program at Western Michigan University is designed to address the unique challenges faced by kinship care families, where grandparents and other relatives care for children whose own parents are unable to care for them. This program aims to enhance the professional knowledge and skills of individuals working with adults or children in kinship care families.

Program Overview

The graduate certificate in Kinship Care is specifically designed for professionals from varied fields. The program focuses on multi-generational challenges, education systems, healthcare systems, economic challenges, and existing programs and services.

Program Structure

• The program offers five Kinship Care courses online, accommodating both U.S. and international students.
• These courses can be completed within one calendar year.
• Students may elect to take some or all of the courses within this specialization area.
• Those wishing to complete a graduate program in Family and Consumer Sciences may use these courses toward that degree.

Department and University

The Kinship Care Families program is part of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Western Michigan University, located in Kalamazoo, MI, USA. The university is committed to providing high-quality education and addressing the needs of diverse family structures.