New York State Kinship Navigator: Director's Page

Director's Page

The Kinship Navigator wants to help kinship caregivers become better advocates for kinship families. Our primary tool is through information about resources. Getting caregivers to the right agency for the right reasons is the best chance of finding the right help.

Another mechanism is getting information to caregivers about laws that apply to their situations.

Once kinship caregivers know more about the relevant laws, they are better prepared to advocate. Showing the relevant laws and regulations to the people in authority is a fundamental tool of advocacy. And if the law fits your situation it should give you the legal support to succeed.

Standing up and asking to be heard, explaining your situation, and getting the “hearing” that you deserve starts with you being informed, and then often depends upon your ability to reason clearly and concisely with the person in authority (such as a clerk, a lawyer, a health professional, a school administrator, or other frontline agency staff).

Lawyers talk about legal “arguments.” They don’t mean getting angry and making demands, they are referring to calmly showing the reasons why you are correct in your position, by using clear and concise ideas. To “argue” legally, here are some simple rules:

Rehearse telling your story, so you can tell it concisely and accurately.
Keep to the facts that are relevant. Don’t add unnecessary information.
Use people’s names or their titles, don’t say “they”, “him”, “her”, etc.
Bring relevant legal fact sheets with you (and copies).
Bring original documents with you (and copies).
Don’t get emotional.
Educate, don’t demand.
Remember it is usually not personal. It’s about understanding the situation and facts.
If you don’t believe that the person understands your position, ask to speak to a supervisor.
Write down names and titles.
Use examples that support and explain your situation.
Get the decisions in writing.
If you lose, ask how you can appeal the decision.
If possible, appeal immediately.
Ask for a written record of your request for an appeal.

Lawyers like to say that “reasonable minds may differ.” They mean that people can draw different conclusions from even the simplest facts. So, it’s best to not assume that the other person will understand your position. You have to inform them. Convincing someone of your point of view is really a skill. The more you practice it, the better you can explain and win the “argument.” Preparation, good reasoning, accurate and relevant information, and calm conviction. That’s a winning combination.