Kinship Navigation, Grandparenting & Kinship Resources

Kinship Navigation, Grandparenting & Kinship Resources

When parents are unable to care for their children, often family members take on the job. It is a beautiful and important act of family love, but it can be very difficult to unexpectedly parent a child relative. The Kinship Navigation Program provides free, confidential support to help.

Grandparents and granddaughter smiling at a table with juice, fruit, and flowers in a modern kitchen.

The Kinship Navigation Program links grandparents and other caregivers to services and supports specific to their family’s needs. Accessed through Waypoint’s Family Resource Centers, experienced Kinship Navigators provide emotional support, education, guidance, referrals, and follow-up services to promote independence and enhance the well-being of the families they serve. Navigators help with a wide range of issues including healthcare, education, childcare, financial assistance, and legal questions about protecting your rights and the child’s well-being.

Kinship Navigation services are free, confidential, and available to grandparents and other caregivers who are raising a child/children in the absence of the child/children’s biological parents.

Please complete the Intake Form to be connected to services or contact us to learn more. 

Eligibility

Families

Fee

None

Region Served

Hillsborough and Merrimack Counties
Upper Valley Region

Contact

Carolyn George
(603) 518-4390
hvreferrals@waypointnh.org

Services

Services include:
  • Compassionate Trauma Informed Care.
  • Help with locating appropriate healthcare or therapeutic services.
  • Advocating for educational supports such as IEP/504 plans, McKinney Vento rights, and out of district placement, when applicable.
  • Help finding appropriate and safe childcare including before and after school programs.
  • Assisting with college prep resources and/or supports.
  • Advocating for, or referring to, options for financial assistance, including but not limited to assisting with the documentation process.
  • Assisting with personalized daily living supports such as budgeting and home management.
  • Advocating with/to/for referrals for applicable in-home services.
  • Ongoing support through DCYF and other state processes.
  • Providing emotional support.
  • Trauma-informed caregiver/parent education customized to each family.
  • Referrals to general community and legal resources.
  • Promoting strength-based independence for family’s well-being.

Activities

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Kinship Lunch Hour

Are you an adult relative or close family friend who stepped in to parent a child when their biological parent could not? Maybe you are parenting a second time around? You are a Kinship Caregiver!

This group provides a safe and supportive space for all Kinship Caregivers to gather and connect. Share experiences, stories, and solve problems together. Find commonality with others facing similar situations and create community together.

This is a virtual offering through Zoom. Click below for the flyer and to connect.

Dates: First and Third Fridays of the month 02/06, 02/20, 03/06, 03/20, 04/03, 04/17, 05/01 and 05/15. More dates to be added later.
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Virtual, via Zoom
Contact Phone: 603-298-8237
Contact Email: uppervalleyfrc@waypointnh.org
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Kinship Strong – A Kinship Support Group

The Kinship Strong Support Group is a monthly group that provides a safe space to connect with other caregivers, share resources and build a community. This group serves as an opportunity for children to socialize and see they are not alone.

 

Childcare provided at limited capacity- *must register*

Feel free to bring your own snacks.

Dates: Meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Location: Waypoint – 464 Chestnut St., Manchester, NH
Contact Phone: Sofia: (603) 540-1093
Contact Email: Asymianakis@waypointnh.org
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PASTA (Parenting a Second Time Around) Support Group – Concord

Grandparents and granddaughter smiling at a table with juice, fruit, and flowers in a modern kitchen.PASTA is an ongoing support group for all kinship caregivers including grandparents and other caregivers in the position of raising a child or children 18 and under. This free support group is a great place to meet caregivers like yourself, learn new skills, and gather resources.
Topics of discussion can include child development, discipline and guidance, self-care, rebuilding a family, living with teens, legal issues, and advocacy. Childcare, provided by professionals at the YMCA, and dinner, provided by Waypoint, are both free.
Registration is required. Please confirm your participation and child care needs.
To register or for questions:

Beth Maltzie – 603-851-0239 or MaltzieB@waypointnh.org

Dates: Every 2nd Monday of the Month
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: YMCA of Concord, 15 North State Street
Contact Phone: 603-851-0239
Contact Email: MaltzieB@waypointnh.org
Yellow diagonal banner with the word FREE in bold white capital letters in the center.

PASTA (Parenting a Second Time Around) Support Group – Nashua

Grandparents and granddaughter smiling at a table with juice, fruit, and flowers in a modern kitchen.Are you parenting a second time around? This free support group is a great chance to meet other grandparents and family caregivers who are in a similar situation, share ideas, find out about rights and resources, and get empowered and inspired.

Dates: Wednesdays Bi-weekly
Time: 10:00 am -12:00 pm
Location: Waypoint Family Resource Center, 60 Main St, Suite 240B Nashua NH
Contact Phone: (603) 722-3682
Contact Email: Angovea@waypointnh.org

News

Child Abuse Prevention in Action at Waypoint

Prevention happens when care providers meet families where they are and work together to address the barriers that stand in the way of health and well-being. 

Recognizing the Kinship Caregiving Heroes We Serve

This year, three families engaged with our Early Childhood and Family Support services were honored with NHCT’s 19th Annual Unsung Heroes Award.

Beth Maltzie: A Trusted Guide for Kinship Families

"Whatever it is, I’m there to listen, remain judgment free, and do my best to help in any way I can.”

Child Abuse Prevention in Action at Waypoint

Prevention happens when care providers meet families where they are and work together to address the barriers that stand in the way of health and well-being. 

Waypoint’s 2025 Year in Review: Momentum in Action

Every program, partnership, and dedicated staff member contributes to turning individual successes into lasting impact. 

How Waypoint Helped One Family

Helping families reclaim their hope and rebuild their future

Forms & Documents

Intake Form
Supporting Child Family Wellbeing Guide
Intake Form (Spanish)
Kinship Navigation, Grandparenting & Kinship Resources
(603) 518-4390
hvreferrals@waypointnh.org

Regional Offices

Waypoint has several regional offices throughout New Hampshire. Below are the locations of these offices. If you are looking for specific program contact information, please visit the Programs Overview page or the Get Help page.

Agency Headquarters

Manchester
464 Chestnut St.
Manchester, NH 03105
603.518.4000 | 1.800.640.6486
Fax: 603.668.6260
P.O. Box 448

Concord Family Resource Center
27 Burns Ave.
Concord, NH 03301

Concord Office 
4 Barrell Ct. 
Concord, NH 03301

Dover
35 Third St.
Dover, NH 03820
603.742.5662

Monadnock
20 Central Sq., Suite #210
Keene, NH 03431
603.357.8772 

Upper Valley
85 Mechanic St., Suite B2-6
Lebanon, NH 03766
603.298.8237

Nashua
60 Main St., Suite 240
Nashua, NH 03060
603.889.7189

Waypoint at the Richie McFarland Center
11 Sandy Point Rd.
Stratham, NH 03885
603.518.4002
Fax: 603.668.6260

Tri-City Region
3 Wallace St.
Rochester, NH 03867
603.518.4020

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