How Investing in Kinship Caregivers Advances Family Well-Being with Sarah Smalls

In this powerful episode, we are honored to have Sarah Smalls, a tireless advocate for kinship caregivers and grandparents raising grandchildren. Sarah has been at the forefront of national and local efforts to secure resources, support, and respect for relative caregivers. She shares her personal journey of raising her three grandchildren and her influential roles with organizations like Formed Families Forward and Generations United. Sarah shares the invaluable lessons she’s learned while navigating the complexities of child welfare systems and pushing for meaningful change that respects the dignity of family members.

Sarah touches on the systemic challenges faced by kinship caregivers, obstacles and burdens placed on relatives who don’t have the finances to provide care, and the need for better policies and resources for these families. Sarah talks about a recent bill passed by the Virginia legislature that will increase a variety of support for kinship caregivers that are designed to avoid foster care placement. Her insights into informal kinship and her own experiences in the courtroom will inspire and inform listeners who are working to advance family well-being.