Program provides caregivers with key guidance for raising happy and healthy children

By Jude McGee

Candelen’s Kith & Kin Program is dedicated to supporting family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) caregivers. The program serves unlicensed childcare providers who care for children in their community while parents are at work. In the U.S., approximately 60% of children under the age of six are cared for by FFN caregivers. 

Kavita Bernstein is the Chief Impact Officer at Candelen. 

“The Kith & Kin Program is the answer for informal child care providers who otherwise go unnoticed. Our program helps caregivers not only recognize themselves as child care providers, but also to have access to education resources to enhance their skills,” Bernstein said.

The program supports these caregivers by providing them with education about safety, development, and connection. The topics covered with caregivers include nutrition, guidance and discipline, brain development, language and literacy, ages and stages, daily scheduling, and parent/caregiver relationships. Angie, an FFN caregiver, said, “I learned how to really listen to children, how to engage them in meaningful activities, and even how to install a car seat properly. These are just a few of the many skills I’ve gained that I now use every day.”

Angela Tapia is the Program Director for the Kith & Kin Program, among other family support and education initiatives offered by Candelen. She describes Candelen as both very well-known in the community and grassroots in terms of outreach. 

“Other organizations have asked us: How do you do it? What's your secret sauce to actually find these FFN caregivers?” Tapia said, “We’re a mobile program. We partner with community agencies, organizations, school districts, resource centers, and churches. Whoever will host us.”

The program meets FFN caregivers where they are, providing transportation and childcare during educational classes for adults. Candelen served 1,200 FFN caregivers in 2024. 

Through the Kith & Kin Program, young children will be more prepared for kindergarten, ensuring they possess the skills necessary to learn and grow.

Candelen aims to support parents, caregivers, and early childhood educators by providing education and resources to aid early childhood development. In addition to facilitating the Kith & Kin Program, they partner with First Things First to work with teachers and directors at licensed childcare centers to improve the quality of care and instruction in those environments. Candelen will also be launching a Licensing & Certification Program in the near future, as a 2024 report by the organization revealed that 69% of unlicensed caregivers surveyed were interested in becoming licensed. The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) evaluates that the state has a 25% gap between the need for care and the supply of available childcare slots. To put this into perspective, an estimated 76,690 children require childcare, yet their parents lack access to it.

Beneficiaries of the Kith & Kin Program find it to be inspiring and highly educational. Liliana, an FFN caregiver for one of her close friends’ children, said, “I gained valuable knowledge on topics like brain development, ages and stages, positive discipline, language and literacy, and injury prevention, including CPR, first aid, home safety, and sleep safety.” 

“This program is led by well-trained, knowledgeable specialists who teach us about child development, early education, and nutrition,” said Angie. “We learn how to care for children in ways that truly make a difference.” 

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For more information about Candelen and the Kith & Kin Program, go to https://www.candelen.org/.

Photo courtesy of Candelen.