High Country Caregivers is a stand-alone not for profit organization dedicated to relatives, respite, and resources for kinship caregivers.
In North Carolina 225,493 children live with grandparents or a relative that isn’t their biological parent. 177, 662 of them live with their grandparents. Most of them live with their grandparents to avoid being placed in the foster care system. The majority of these children are primarily raised by their grandmothers.
Since 2006, High Country Caregivers has taken the lead role in the High Country for coordinating and advocating for the development of a comprehensive community based service to meet the needs of the region’s caregivers, and to respond to issues confronting the rapidly growing older population and their families.
Through a variety of programs and your support, High Country Caregivers works along side grandparents to help them improve the lives of these children.
Our vision is based on:
High Country Caregivers relies on the experience, vision, and leadership of it’s staff and board of directors to provide the organization with responsible governance and bolster its efforts to support kinship caregiving in the High Country area.
Our values are:
- Change – we are dedicated and determined to positively impact the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being of kinship families.
- Respect – we hold great respect for kinship caregivers and those they care for regardless of race, income, lifestyle choices, or situation.
- Commitment – we are committed to empowering all kinship caregivers to do their best for their loved ones.
- Collaboration – networking with other organizations, professionals, and agencies to provide navigation for kinship families in crisis.
- Integrity – we use our resources wisely and transparently providing the maximum amount of resources for our clients.
- Rest – we are committed to providing outlets for kinship caregivers to rest and recharge.
Our actions will be:
- Responsive – within 48 hours you will receive a call back and within 7 days a home visit.
- Helpful – we will help you develop a customized plan to assist you in caring for yourself and your child.
- Resourceful – we will link you with life changing services, making tomorrow brighter.
- Supportive – we will advocate on behalf of you and your child.
- Friendly – in our groups you will get to know us and other caregivers sharing the similar struggles.
- Open – we offer a safe place of expression without fear of judgment or condemnation.