Tlingit & Haida Received Federal Grant for Kinship Care

A new $450,349 federal grant will fund support services for kinship caregivers in Alaska and Washington.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Native American

Gouache-painted illustration of two woven cedar baskets on a wood surface, representing intergenerational family support. — Tlingit & Haida received a $450,349 federal grant to expand kinship caregiving services, improving access to financial and legal support for families in Alaska and Washington. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded Tlingit & Haida $450,349 to bolster kinship caregiving programs. The project aims to improve access to financial and legal services for families in Southeast Alaska and Washington over the next three years.

Why it matters

The initiative addresses significant barriers for relatives raising children, including high application denial rates and lengthy processing times for benefits. By adapting the Washington State Kinship Navigator Program model, the tribe seeks to stabilize households during sudden family transitions.

The tribe manages an average of 45 active kinship households monthly, with applications currently facing a 24% denial rate and a 30-day processing period. Projections indicate the program will serve up to 120 families by 2029.

The players

Tlingit & Haida

This is a federally recognized sovereign tribe based in Southeast Alaska that provides social, economic, and cultural services to tribal citizens.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

This is the cabinet-level executive branch department responsible for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services.

University of Washington's Indigenous Wellness Research Institute

This academic entity specializes in community-based research to promote the health and well-being of Indigenous populations.

The details

The Kin Support Program will pair caregivers with navigators and utilize an advisory board of elders to guide program adaptation. The University of Washington's Indigenous Wellness Research Institute is tasked with evaluating the project's effectiveness throughout the three-year funding period.

The federal funding period for the grant remains active through September 2029.
The Kin Support Program previously secured a $100,000 federal award in August 2026.
In 2025, approximately 22,785 children resided in relative-headed households in Alaska.
The Title IV-E Clearinghouse rated the navigator model as supported in 2024.

Culture Shift

The project follows the federal evidence-based framework established by the Title IV-E Clearinghouse to ensure kinship support services meet recognized standards of efficacy. This reflects a broader shift toward formalizing traditional kinship care networks through data-driven, state-aligned models.

Caregivers in the region can expect easier access to legal assistance and financial benefits once the navigator network is fully established. The program's reliance on experienced community advisors ensures that the guidance provided is culturally relevant to the needs of the families.

The takeaway

This initiative underscores the critical role of kinship caregivers in keeping families intact and reducing reliance on the formal foster care system. Integrating peer-led advisory boards into social programs serves as a practical blueprint for improving service delivery in underserved communities.