The National Research Center on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren defines regional affiliates as institutions that are actively engaged in knowledge building related to grandparents raising grandchildren, or other kinship care arrangements. Regional affiliates are located in one of 10 geographic regions.
Region 1: Boston (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)
Region 2: New York (NY, NJ, PR, VI)
Region 3: Philadelphia (DE, MD, PA, VA, WV, DC)
Region 4: Atlanta (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN)
Region 5: Minnesota (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI) 
Region 6: Dallas (AK, LA, NM, OK, TX) 
Region 7: Kansas City (IA, KS, MO, NE)
Region 8: Colorado (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY)
Region 9: San Francisco (CA, HI, NV, AZ)
Region 10: Seattle (AK, ID, OR, WA)
Institutions targeted as regional affiliates
Universities, community-based service agencies or foundations may serve as regional affiliates. Regional affiliates must have a well-established practice or research history in the area of grandparents raising grandchildren, or in kinship care in general.
Regional affiliate responsibilities
Regional affiliates:
- Being the communication link between institutions addressing the needs of families and the center.
- Have an awareness of current services, programs and research initiatives, training seminars and grant opportunities in their localities that are shared with the center for broad dissemination.
- Have members who may also serve as faculty associates with the center to provide regional training to local practitioners working in the field of kinship care.
- Participate in quarterly conference calls with the center.
Regional affiliate benefits
Regional affiliates will:
- Be given a high profile on the center's website, highlighting their research or best practice initiatives at their institution, and within the affiliate's locality.
- Have exposure to foundations and other funding sites wanting to identify current agencies working in the area of kinship care.
- Have the opportunity to showcase their skills and knowledge on evidence-based practices in trainings and workshops in local communities, as well as in other regions.
Financial obligation
There is no financial obligation to become a regional affiliate with the center.
Regional affiliate work relationship
Regional affiliates have the opportunity to collaborate on research and practice initiatives with other affiliates. Affiliates may co-sponsor skill-based or topic-based training and workshops at identified regions. In addition, affiliates may collaborate on funding opportunities.
Other kinship care organizations
There are several aging and child welfare agencies performing significant work to promote grandparents raising grandchildren through program development, policy advocacy and knowledge building. The center focuses its efforts on expanding the knowledge and skills of practitioners and researchers and to support the well-being of grandparents and the grandchildren under their care.