A Quasi-Experimental Design Protocol to Evaluate a Two-State Rural Kinship Navigator Program

Kin caregivers provide support to millions of children in the United States when their biological parents are unable. Despite their critical role, kin caregivers often lack financial, medical, legal, housing, and support resources. These inequities are exacerbated in rural areas. The Wyoming/Montana Kinship Navigator Program was designed to improve outcomes for caregivers and children with a rural, solution-focused, enhanced case-management model. This evaluation protocol includes a quasi-experimental design and propensity score matching for baseline equivalence. Outcomes include caregiver well-being, service access, and child permanency obtained through surveys and administrative records. Findings from this novel two-state evaluation partnership will support an evidence-base regarding rural kinship navigator models and will inform the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse program review.