When 18-year-old Aaliyah needed stability during her final months in foster care, the person she wanted beside her was someone who had already been a constant in her life: her grandmother, Denise. Denise was ready to care for her granddaughter, but after experiencing a stroke that left her partially paralyzed on her right side, becoming a licensed foster parent came with challenges that could have easily closed the door.
She could no longer drive and was still learning how to complete everyday tasks with her left, non-dominant hand. Her physical limitations raised questions about whether she would be able to complete the licensing process, but Denise never allowed those questions to define what she was capable of.
While others focused on what had changed after her stroke, she remained focused on what had not: her ability to think clearly, care for her granddaughter and provide the family connection Aaliyah needed.
That determination stood out to Edna Green, a Relative Support Specialist with the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition. Rather than viewing Denise’s physical challenges as a reason the process could not move forward, Edna worked with her to identify what support would make it possible.
Edna picked Denise up and took her to her fingerprint screening, where staff patiently gave her the additional time she needed. She helped her get to a physical so Denise’s physician could evaluate and document her abilities, and she worked alongside her throughout the licensing paperwork, making sure the process was individualized to Denise’s needs while still allowing her to complete as much as possible independently in her own home.
Denise met each requirement with the same determination. She continued occupational and physical therapy on her own, learned new ways to manage daily responsibilities and completed the required paperwork. When it came time for first aid and CPR training, including infant and adult CPR, Denise completed that too, with Edna and Aaliyah beside her for support.
For Denise, the urgency of becoming licensed was never lost. Aaliyah was preparing to begin college and was already an independent young woman who could cook, manage many of her own needs and help around the home. Still, independence did not mean she no longer needed family. She deserved to move into this next chapter knowing she had someone to come home to.
Their relationship is also a reminder that kinship care is not always one-sided. Aaliyah helps her grandmother get to appointments and navigate some of the responsibilities that became more difficult after her stroke, while Denise provides the consistency, love, history and connection that no program or facility could replace.
In 2026, Denise became a licensed foster parent.
For Edna, this case stayed with her because the outcome could have looked very different. Aaliyah could have been moved toward an independent living setting simply because licensing her grandmother required more time, flexibility and intentional support. Instead, Denise was given the opportunity to show what she was capable of, and she refused to let anyone else’s doubts become her limitations.
During Kinship Awareness Month,Denise and Aaliyah’s story is a powerful reminder of why keeping families connected matters. Kinship care is about more than identifying a relative who can provide a home. It is about preserving relationships, family history, identity and a sense of belonging, while making sure caregivers have the support they need to succeed.