News
National Spotlight on Kinnect’s Impact
We are honored to share that Kinnect has been featured in Casey Family Programs’ 2024 Impact Report and companion video, highlighting our commitment to building and strengthening kinship connections for children and families. This recognition is a testament to the hard work of our team, the dedication of our partners, and the transformative power of a…
Executive Director Shannon Deinhart is thrilled to announce the addition of two exceptional leaders to the Kinnect Board of Directors: Jo A. Tatarko, Partner at Perez Morris Law Firm, and Catherine Baker, Senior Corporate Legal Counsel at Progressive Insurance. “Jo and Catherine bring diverse expertise, deep commitment, and a shared passion for improving outcomes for…
The situation In Henry County, a 2-year-old child faced an uncertain future after being separated from their maternal family. Despite being in a nurturing foster home, the ultimate goal was to reunite the child with their biological family while preserving the strong bond with the foster parents. The facilitation Michelle, our KTF Specialist, was determined…
The situation A Belmont County Kinnect to Family (KTF) Specialist began working with a 13-year-old girl residing in a group home because her mother needed support and could not care for her. Recognizing that returning to her caregiver was not an option, the KTF Specialist worked closely with the young girl to identify individuals in…
The situation A grandparent found themselves suddenly raising their 11-year-old granddaughter and needed immediate support. Unsure of where to turn, they contacted OhioKAN for help, hoping to connect with someone who could guide them through the overwhelming situation of becoming a full-time caregiver. The facilitation After calling OhioKAN, the grandparent was connected with a Navigator…
The situation A mother and child had been traveling to multiple states and ended up in a homeless shelter in Lucas County. The mom was struggling and was not able to care for her child, leading to the child entering foster care. There were no relatives in Ohio, as the mother and child were not…
The situation A Kinnect to Family Specialist was diligently working to move a teenage youth from foster care back to their family. The young person had experienced multiple moves between different placements, making it challenging to find a permanent home. The facilitation The KTF Specialist organized a barrier meeting with ten family members who knew…
The situation Our OhioKAN Navigator in Southeast Ohio assisted a grandmother who wanted her 7-year-old grandson to attend a summer camp he had previously enjoyed. However, since the grandmother was retired and had a fixed income, she couldn’t afford the camp fees on her own. The facilitation To address this challenge, our OhioKAN Navigator and…
The situation A 14-year-old boy spent over 7 years in foster care, moving between residential treatment centers, group homes, and foster placements. During this period, he lost contact with his biological family, who believed he had been adopted, leaving him without essential familial support and stability. The facilitation Our Kinnect to Family (KTF) Specialist intervened…
We are thrilled to announce that Kinnect has been highlighted in the prestigious Casey Family Programs 2024 Signature Report! This recognition underscores the impactful work our team is doing to redefine kinship and support children and families within the child welfare system. The report highlights Kinnect’s core values of belonging, connection, bonds, identity, and love—principles…