C7 - Will Grandma Get Lost in Probate Court?  Supporting Kinship Caregivers Seeking Legal Guardianship

This workshop will focus on assisting kinship caregivers who seek legal guardianship of children.  Through interactive exercises and use of a self-assessment tool, participants will identify barriers kinship caregivers face in their local jurisdictions, and resources and strategies to overcome these barriers (including court-based self-help centers, workshops, partnerships between the courts, legal community and social service providers, etc.).  The workshop will also include discussion of policy issues concerning 'kinship diversion' (the practice of directing kin to seek guardianship to avoid child welfare system involvement).

Presenter(s): Martha Matthews, Public Counsel, Los Angeles, CA