This September, in recognition of National Kinship Care Month, Children’s Action Alliance honors the more than 57,000 kinship caregivers in Arizona– grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and extended family members who have stepped up to care for children when parents cannot.
Kinship caregivers are a stabilizing force in children’s lives. They help preserve family ties, cultural identity, and community connection. Yet, too often, these families take on full-time caregiving responsibilities with little to no preparation, support, or access to critical services.
The Caregivers’ Message Is Clear: They Need Support.
At a January 2025 Kinship Caregiver Forum hosted by Children’s Action Alliance and Seeds Community Center in Tucson, families shared the realities they face of legal barriers, financial strain, and emotional trauma. Rural caregivers emphasized the urgent need for local access to mental health services, therapy, and specialists.
Too often, families are forced to choose between legal guardianship and accessing essential benefits. This creates unnecessary instability for families already doing everything they can.
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