Montana Kinship Navigator Program: A statewide frontier initiative promoting kinship family health and wellness

This practice brief report describes the development, implementation, and new updates of the Montana Kinship Navigator Program (MTKNP), a statewide initiative designed to support kinship caregivers in a large, rural frontier context. Montana’s geographic isolation, limited infrastructure, and sparse population create significant barriers for kinship families, including restricted access to healthcare, transportation, childcare, and social services. These challenges are compounded when caregivers unexpectedly assume responsibility for children, often with limited resources and support. MTKNP addresses these gaps through a comprehensive, evidence-informed model that integrates information and referral services with individualized case management. The program serves both formal and informal kinship families and emphasizes tailored support based on caregiver needs, including assistance with legal navigation, public benefits, education, and necessities. Strong partnerships with state agencies, tribal communities, and national organizations enhance service delivery and cultural responsiveness, particularly for Native American families who represent a significant portion of program participants. Since implementing its case management model, MTKNP has served hundreds of families and contributed to a reported 27% reduction in foster care placements in Montana between 2022 and 2025. Preliminary findings also indicate improvements in caregiver well-being, child safety, and family stability. Despite ongoing challenges related to rural access, funding limitations, and program awareness, MTKNP demonstrates a promising, scalable approach to supporting kinship families in frontier regions. This model offers important implications for other rural states seeking to develop sustainable, evidence-based kinship support systems.