JULY 2026

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) is proud to share an exciting program milestone: Ohio Kinship and Adoption Navigator (OhioKAN) has been added to the federal Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse with a rating of "Supported." Envisioned by the State of Ohio and Kinnect and brought to life with partners from across the state and country, OhioKAN reflects a vision that began in 2018: supporting kinship and adoptive families across Ohio. Today, it is a federally recognized program.

The "Supported" designation comes from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which recently announced a new suite of evidence-based programs added to the Clearinghouse. OhioKAN was among three programs selected nationally. This recognition connects directly to Ohio's participation in A Home for Every Child, a new ACF initiative announced by Governor Mike DeWine and ACF Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams. Through this initiative, Ohio is prioritizing work that safely decreases the number of children entering foster care through effective prevention, while increasing the number of foster homes through recruitment, prioritizing kin, and improving retention of existing caregivers. OhioKAN's addition to the Clearinghouse is a tangible example of that prevention work in action.

Since it began, OhioKAN has grown to serve thousands of families across all 88 of Ohio's counties, connecting them to resources and direct, one-on-one navigator support. This rating opens the door for kinship and adoptive families nationwide to access the same early-stage, proactive services.

The "Supported" designation reflects what DCY and Kinnect see in practice every day: when families get the right support early, everyone benefits. Children are more likely to stay connected to family, youth are less likely to enter foster care, and the web of community, connection, and culture grows stronger.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone involved in OhioKAN's journey, including the partners at the State of Ohio and Kinnect as well as the staff and navigators who make the program possible, and to every kinship and adoptive family who has reached out for support, resources, and connection.

Read the full story on Ohio DCY's Tuesday Times, available here.