Systemic Engagement of Grandfamilies and Kinship Caregivers to Improve Student Outcomes

Thursday February 20, 2025
4:15 - 5:15 PM
Ballroom D

Does your school community have students living with kinship caregivers or grandfamilies? Could you benefit from equitable, asset-based supports to connect with these caregivers? Authentic family engagement leads to improved outcomes for students. However, kinship caregivers often experience isolation and barriers to full participation in school communities because most outreach and activities are designed for the predominant group: parents. Attendees will learn about the growing phenomenon of kinship caregivers and grandfamilies in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia and how leaders are addressing their needs. Attendees will receive resources to take back to their districts, schools, and classrooms and apply right away. Resource topics include: inclusive language; family engagement; using empathy interviews as a technique to gain perspective; improving student attendance; and navigating legal issues.

Presenters
Kayla Benson

Benson co-leads the EdVenture Group, is the director of the WV Statewide Family Engagement Center, and a founding co-lead for the Grandfamilies and Kinship Caregivers Community of Practice. Benson leverages experience in non-profit leadership and child advocacy to enhance K–12 education networks.
Jill Marcus

As a Research Assistant II at EDC, Jill Marcus works to provide technical assistance to educational stakeholders and assists with research study design, qualitative data collection and analysis, and reporting for K-12 education-related research projects. She currently helps design and lead materials for REL Appalachia’s Community of Practice on Supporting Students, Grandfamilies, and Kinship Caregivers. She has expertise in teacher professional development, continuous improvement and classroom assessment. Jill has worked as a classroom teacher, educational consultant and school administrator in public schools in New England, the Midwest and the rural south. Marcus holds a Master of Education degree from Boston University.
Victoria Schaefer

Schaefer leads the Regional Educational Laboratory Appalachia, bringing expertise as an educational psychologist, former educator, and founding project lead for the Grandfamilies and Kinship Caregivers Community of Practice.
type:
Hybrid Workshop
theme:
Leadership
audience:
All audiences
tags:
Asset Based Needs Assessment/Evaluation/Monitoring, Children in Foster Care