Clinton County Job & Family Services Celebrates Grandparent & Kinship Care Month
- Real Change Wilmington
- Sep 4
- 2 min read
WILMINGTON, Ohio (September 4, 2025)—September is Grandparent/Kinship Month, and Clinton County Job and Family Services (CCJFS) invites our community to join us in recognizing the incredible grandparents and kinship caregivers who make a lasting difference in the lives of children across our county.
These caregivers often step in during times of crisis—offering stability, love, and a safe home with little preparation and limited resources. Their commitment keeps children connected to their families, schools, and communities, and often helps avoid the trauma of entering foster care.
To support these families, CCJFS issued $63,714 in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds in July 2025, benefiting 223 children in Clinton County. In 2024, the agency also distributed $27,600 in Kinship Permanency Incentive (KPI) funds to eligible families. These federal funding sources help cover everyday essentials like groceries, clothing, school supplies, and transportation—ensuring children are safe, supported, and surrounded by people who love them.
CCJFS continues to prioritize keeping children with their families whenever possible. In 2024, the agency:
Completed 64 kinship home studies
Licensed 3 kinship families as foster parents
Finalized 3 kinship adoptions, giving children permanent homes with relatives they already know and trust
Childcare is critical for grandparents and kinship providers who work outside of the home and often need safe, reliable providers. If you are interested in being a certified child care provider or in-home aide licensed through the State of Ohio, please visit: https://childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/for-providers/child-care-information/become-a-provider or step-by-step instructions, training requirements, and certification details.
Every child deserves a stable, loving home—and Clinton County is proud to support the families who make that possible every day.
If you or someone you know is raising a relative’s child and could use support, please contact Clinton County Job and Family Services at 937-382-0963; email: CLINTON_COUNTY_FAMILY_SERVICES@jfs.ohio.gov or call the Ohio Kinship Adoption Navigator (Ohio KAN) 1-844-OHIOKAN (1-844-644-6526) or https://ohiokan.ohio.gov/ to learn more about available resources.
Article Submitted by Clinton County Job and Family Services
