Kinship Navigator Programs: Replication and Tribal Adaptation

The Kinship Navigator Programs: Replication and Tribal Adaptation funding opportunity is administered by the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, specifically through the Children’s Bureau. This federal initiative is designed to expand the availability and implementation of evidence-based Kinship Navigator Programs that support relatives and close family friends who are caring for children. The program aligns with broader federal priorities to strengthen family stability, reduce reliance on traditional foster care systems, and improve outcomes for children placed in kinship care arrangements. According to the funding announcement, this opportunity responds to a significant national need, as millions of children are raised outside parental homes, often with limited access to support services. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to increase the number of jurisdictions implementing evidence-based Kinship Navigator Programs that meet federal standards outlined in Program Instruction PI-18-11. Applicants must either replicate an existing model approved by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse or adapt such a model for tribal communities while maintaining fidelity to core program elements. The initiative is structured around two distinct priority areas: state-level replication and tribal adaptation. Each applicant must select one priority area per application, and separate submissions are required if applying under both tracks. Funding is intended to support comprehensive program development, including planning, implementation, evaluation, and sustainability activities. Allowable uses include staffing, training, partnership development, outreach, service delivery infrastructure, and evaluation design. However, the program prohibits expenditures on construction, real property acquisition, and major renovations. Additional restrictions apply to certain programmatic areas such as diversity, equity, and inclusion activities, as well as gender ideology initiatives, as outlined in federal policy guidance. Recipients are also required to adhere to federal cost principles and demonstrate strong fiscal stewardship and compliance with administrative requirements. A key feature of this opportunity is the mandatory cost-sharing requirement. Applicants must contribute 25 percent of the total project cost, which may be met through cash or in-kind contributions, with limitations on the proportion of in-kind support. The program anticipates approximately ten awards, with total funding of five million dollars. Individual awards for the first budget period range from one hundred fifty thousand to five hundred thousand dollars, and projects are expected to span a three-year period divided into annual budget cycles. Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal child welfare agencies, as well as private nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education. Organizations that are not direct child welfare agencies must demonstrate formal partnerships with relevant Title IV-E agencies through letters of support. The program emphasizes collaboration with community-based organizations and stakeholders, including kinship caregivers themselves. Applicants must also demonstrate capacity to conduct rigorous program evaluation, either internally or through third-party evaluators, and must engage in continuous quality improvement processes. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes multiple components such as a project narrative, budget justification, standard federal forms, and supporting documentation. Applications must clearly describe the proposed program model, target population, implementation strategy, partnerships, evaluation plan, and sustainability approach. Reviewers evaluate submissions based on criteria including program need, approach, evaluation design, organizational capacity, budget justification, and alignment with agency priorities. The application deadline is August 7, 2026, with an expected project start date of September 30, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to complete required registrations in advance and ensure compliance with all submission requirements to avoid disqualification.

Ensure strong alignment with PI-18-11 requirements; demonstrate evidence-based model fidelity; include robust evaluation plan; secure strong partnerships early; clearly define target population and outcomes