We believe these children and families need consistency during these difficult times. Knowing someone is walking along side you can make a world of difference.
Kin Connect was created to do just that. It was founded on the idea of supporting generational healing and growth. We support foster/kinship families with purposeful intent to do better.
there is growth when we are loved and have positive, consistent, healthy relationships.
What we do
1. Maintain healthy birth family connections for youth in, out of home placement. We work with the treatment team to identify, promote, and support these connections as deemed appropriate and safe.
2. Prevent further services or disrupted placements by assessing each family's needs and addressing them directly. We focus on building and maintaining relationships with each family indefinitely.
3. Help children break the cycle. We do this by equipping caregivers with the necessary tools and resources to create the best possible situation.
Kin connect has three main goals:
families we've serviced through in home supports, certification, and assesments
In 2009 we were licensed foster parents and adopted two children from the system. After adopting I knew I couldn't take in any more placements as I had a house full with 5 children. However, I wanted to continue to make a difference in the lives of children and families . I worked as a foster care case manager part-time for several years. My heart has always been with families walking this journey and being in the thick of it myself, I understand the ups and downs that go into being a foster parent.
I have been married to my husband, John, for almost 27 years. We have five children, three teens who are still living in the home with us. I am a grandma to two amazing little girls who have stolen my heart. Our family loves to go boating, fishing, play games, go on walks, and travel when we can.
Hi, I'm Rebekah, I am a wife, mom to adult daughters, and Grandma/Mimi to four. I enjoy spending time with family and creating memories with my grandchildren through adventures in travel, camping, gardening, riding bikes, and reading. I work in child welfare because I am passionate about making a difference in our communities.
100+
Combined years of experience in child welfare
70+
children we've worked with in the past 3.5 years
200+
meet our team
Karmen, Case Manager
Melinda moved to Paonia Colorado from the windy state of Kansas in the early 70's. She grew up in the Paonia area and graduated from Paonia High School. Melinda married her high school sweetheart and raised her family in Hotchkiss CO, where she still resides. Melinda came on board with KinConnect in September 2022 as an Office Assistant. She is excited to be part of a team that makes a positive difference in the families on the Western Slope. When not working for Kin Connect, Melinda enjoys spending time with her grandkids and family . Hobbies include camping, 4-wheeling, scrapbooking and quilting. She is an active member in her church and volunteers at Sunday school and VBS in the summer.
Hi everyone my name is Kaitlyn and I am a case manager and licensing specialist with Kin Connect. I have been working in foster/kinship care since 2021 and have loved every second of it! I truly enjoy working with both the families and kids everyday. My husband and I recently moved back to Montrose and are expecting our first baby in May. I enjoy spending time outside with my dog, Lulu, my brand new baby, and gardening.
I'm Tina Veitch and I am a Case Manager with Kin Connect. Originally from Bellingham, WA, I've always been drawn to the Western Slope of Colorado and two years ago my husband, son Liam and I relocated to Delta County. I love working with foster families because they are extraordinary individuals and being part of the Kin Connect team adds purpose to my life. My favorite aspects of this job include supporting those who are supporting children and advocating on behalf of my foster homes and parents. What is challenging for me is learning the myriad of acronyms! I have been fortunate to develop wonderful relationships with my parents and the children they care for. In my spare time, I enjoy raising and training horses, mountain biking, paddle boarding rivers and spending time with family and my two dalmatians.
Rebekah, Executive Director
Melinda, Office
Kaitlyn, Certification Specialist
Tina, Case Manager
Janis was born in Norton, Kansas and is the 9 th child out of 10 children. Her parents moved to Paonia, Colorado when she was 3 years old, where she spent her childhood. Janis graduated high school and received a Bachelors in Counseling Psychology at Mesa State College. Janis found her passion working with the at risk population while volunteering at the Partner’s Program during her college years. Janis obtained a part job working at a shelter for troubled and runaway teenage girls prior to graduating college. She found a true passion for the criminal minded youth coming out of the Division of Youth Corrections and Probation. Janis spent 31 years working with a local child placement agency in a variety of roles with the at risk population from case manager, recreational coordinator and a probation officer with low risk offenders. During these years it became apparent as children/youth were being removed and placed in foster homes, kinship care started to become a better solution. Biological families were stepping up to help close the gap with a family member in care, but were receiving little to no support compared to a traditional foster home. Janis found another passion and it was in the kinship world and felt very blessed to join the team with Rebekah at Kin Connect as Placement Supervisor. Janis reports working with Kin Connect was the best decision she could have made for herself because Rebekah shares the same passion for children/youth and foster parents as she does. Janis appreciates the services Rebekah pours into these families so the outcome of success can create a healing environment for children/youth suffering from losses and trauma in their lives. When Janis is not working she enjoys spending time with her family, grandchildren and escaping to the mountains to camp and ride ATV’s. She reports vacationing with family on secluded beaches is also a bonus when time allows
Janis, Supervisor
Hello, my name is Maxine Abbott. I have been working in the Social Service field for over fifteen years. I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. I care about people and have a deep passion for the family. I am the oldest of six children. Three of which are adopted. Having a personal experience in the foster/adoption world has given me firsthand experience on some of the challenges that can come up but also the many rewards. I have also previously provided counseling services to children in foster care that were living in group homes and have seen the effects of the trauma they experienced. I hope by being a case manager with Kin Connect and working with foster/kinship families, I can support not only the children but the foster parents to provide what is in the best interest of the children while navigating the foster care process and experience. My goal is to provide support and empathy to foster/kinship families specific needs and challenges and just overall want to help in any way I can to these families that are providing a safe and loving home when children need it the most.
I am a wife and mother to five children. Four on earth and one in heaven. We love to camp, hike, hang out with family and friends, work on home projects to update our 1970s home and spend time with our animals on our constantly growing hobby farm
