Duet: Partners in Health & Aging – Kinship Care Services

Innovative and Exemplary (2025)

Duet: Partners in Health & Aging – Kinship Care Services, located in Phoenix, Arizona, provided 7,600 hours of respite to 144 grandfamilies during the past year. Kinship Care services were created at Duet in 1995 when staff members noticed that a growing number of seniors stopped attending programs because they had new responsibilities raising their grandchildren. After researching several respite models, Kinship Care Services chose a flexible voucher service model within a personalized, family-focused approach, allowing the program to tailor support to each caregiver’s unique needs and preferences. In addition to receiving respite funds, grandfamilies participate in shared respite opportunities through intergenerational social outings. Highly valued by grandfamilies, 1500 shared respite hours were provided during the past year. Coaching on respite time use, monitoring of family needs for clothing, housing, assistance in applying for benefits, and financial support for grandchildren’s activities, such as school sports, complement respite services. Resources to support this program are diversified and include local business support. A Grandparents Advisory Board works actively at all program levels –– day-to-day operations; peer mentoring; special work committees; and advice to the Board for strategic planning.

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