Think of Us is Awarded Funding from the Administration for Children and Families Children’s Bureau for ConnectMe

Nearly 30% of children in foster care nationwide are in kinship care, which means they are being raised by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and close family friends who stepped up (often with little notice and limited support). Think of Us is proud to be one of eight organizations nationwide selected to receive funding from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Children’s Bureau to rigorously evaluate ConnectMe, our kinship navigation program.ConnectMe is the first AI enabled Care Navigation program that combines technology with human support. Care Navigators listen to caregivers, connect them to the help they need, and follow through. Over the next three years, we’ll work with Chapin Hall, who will serve as the independent evaluation partner, to study whether or not this support helps children stay safely and stably with family. If the evidence is strong, ConnectMe could be reviewed by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse, a potential step toward helping states access federal funding to bring the program to more kinship caregivers. We’re excited to share what we learn along the way.