Wayfinder Family Services Hosts Inaugural Virtual Kinship Summit

The summit featured keynote speaker Joseph Crumbley, a therapist with four decades of experience in family dynamics, who addressed the complexities of maintaining cultural and community ties for children in non-traditional care. This gathering follows a year of significant external validation for the organization’s Kinnections program, which provides emergency aid and case management to California families.

Federal and industry bodies have increasingly signaled approval of Wayfinder’s methodology. The Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse recently rated the Kinnections model as promising, while the Grandfamilies and Kinship Support Network designated the program’s Family Needs Scale as an Exemplary Practice. Furthermore, Social Current awarded the initiative its 2026 Innovative Impact Award. Jay Allen, president and chief executive officer of Wayfinder, noted that these accolades underscore a persistent gap in resources for families who often assume caregiving responsibilities with minimal notice and limited support structures.