Kinship Support Services Program

Kinship Support Services Program

The services of the Kinship Support Services Program (KSSP) are provided by community-based organizations partially funded by Alameda County to provide supportive services to kinship families living in Alameda County at no cost to families. These services are available to families now.

Services

• Support groups for caregivers;
• Children’s activity groups, social and recreational outings, and events;
• Limited respite care;
• Educational seminars;
• Information and referral;
• Case management (for non-dependents), needs assessment, and service planning;
• Critical needs;
• Other

The support that is available depends on the child’s involvement with the Child Welfare System. If the child is in the formal child welfare system, the Child Welfare Worker provides case management and the Kinship Support Services Program can provide all of the other services. If the child is outside of the formal child welfare system (no Child Welfare Worker involved), the Kinship Support Services Program can provide case management and all other services to make it successful.

Eligibility

To be eligible for services – you need to have the child living with you and reside in Alameda County. If you live outside of Alameda County, there may be a similar agency in your county. Services are available to anyone who is the primary caretaker for a child that is not their biological child (Examples: grandparents caring for grandchildren, aunts / uncles caring for nieces and nephews, adult siblings caring for minor brothers and sisters, adult cousins caring for minor cousins; or even god parents who are caring for children with whom they have bonded like family).

Partners

There are two community-based organizations partially funded by Alameda County to provide supportive services to kinship families living in Alameda County at no cost to families.

• Family Support Services (510) 834-2443, located in Oakland, serves families living in Northern Alameda County (Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, Emeryville, Albany, and Piedmont). Website 
• Lincoln (510) 273-4700, Ext. 200, located in Hayward, serves families living in Southern Alameda County (San Lorenzo, San Leandro, Castro Valley, Hayward, Fremont, Newark, Union City, Tri-Valley area (Sunol, Dublin, Livermore and Pleasanton). Website