Kin As Teachers
In 2008 FKC's Kin As Teachers (KAT) program received a national award for being one of three most innovative programs to serve young children in the USA. KAT is an early childhood/caregiver support and education program that serves kinship caregivers raising children from birth to Kindergarten entry. Based on the Parents As Teachers program, it is designed to enhance child development and school achievement through caregiver education, increasing children's school readiness and early detection of developmental delays. Program components include case management, screening, home visits, and group meetings.
"It is a nice program; they help me with Gerard and with a lot of everyday things."
Mrs. Green
"It has helped me a lot, especially for the kids, I had no idea what I was going to do with all 5 of the kids during the summer but the program helped me put them in a summer day camp. The counselor that comes out to my home is very helpful. It has been a really great program for us." Mrs. Little
Jump to: Kin As Teachers Program Goals \Kin As Teachers FAQ \Kin As Teachers Resources
Kin As Teachers Program Goals
- Provide children with a solid foundation for school and life success.
- Enhance Caregiver's Feelings of competence and confidence in the child rearing experience.
- Increase the knowledge and skills of kinship caregivers regarding child development and appropriate ways to stimulate their children’s intellectual, language, social, and physical development.
- Enhance caregiver-child interaction and strengthen family relationships.
- Provide early detection of developmental problems.
- Screen children utilizing a standardized test called Ages and Stages based on Communication skills, Problem Solving Skills, Gross and Fine motor skills, and social skills.
- Refer children to appropriate service if it is determined that more intervention is needed.
Kin As Teachers FAQ
Who is eligible for KAT?
Any caregiver in Hillsborough County with a child or children from the ages of birth to five is eligible.
How can I refer a family to Kin as Teachers?
Please call the program coordinator at 813-974-8603.
Is this program available in other Counties besides Hillsborough?
Not at this time. However, the Florida Kinship Center's goal is to expand this program statewide.
What is the cost for Kin as Teachers?
There is no fee! You can receive all of these services for free!
Kin As Teachers Resources
The following resources have been carefully selected by our Kin As Teachers Coordinator to help educate our caregivers as they help raise children from birth through Kindergarten. These resource pages are organized in the following sections: Baby Care Education \\\ Infants and Toddlers \\\ Behavior \\\ Sleep \\\ Potty Training \\\ Community Resources
Baby Care Education
- Baby Body Language
- Colic Information
- Choosing a Baby Carrier
- Should Babies and Toddlers Watch Television?
- Toys for Baby
- Diaper Changing
- Going Visiting With Baby
Infants and Toddlers
Behavior
- Behavior Problems
- Tantrums, Fussing and Whining
- Car Seat Crying
- Playing Detective with Biting
- First Born Jealousy
Sleep
- Eight Sleep Tips for Every Child
- Moving from Crib to Bed
- Solving Naptime Problems
- Newborn Babies and Sleep
Potty Training
- Potty Training 1: Quick Facts About Potty Training
- Potty Training 2: Potty Training Readiness Quiz
- Potty Training 3: Ready Set Go
Community Resources
We are very appreciative to our funding agencies. Because we are a non-profit center that is solely dependent on grants and donations, we are in need of continued funding and support. If you would like to make a conribution to the center, visit the USF Foundation site.