08/31/2026
The Heart of Our Work: Richland County Children Services (RCCS) Kinship Navigator Program.
Stepping into a caregiving role can happen overnight. It brings sudden emotional and financial challenges. That is where our dedicated Kinship Navigators come in. Our navigators, Rhonda Marsh and Arlillian Nixon, act as personal guides for extended families. They walk alongside caregivers to cut through confusion and provide direct relief. Our navigators connect families to vital resources, including Medicaid, food assistance childcare subsidies, Ohio Works First, and utility support. They also offer guidance on legal matters—including power of attorney, custody, guardianship, and Caregiver Authorization Affidavit—making it easier for families to navigate the system. The Kinship Program also plays an important role in community engagement efforts collaborating with The New Store with their programs which includes: the Back Pack Back to School Program, Coats for Kids Program, Christmas Program, as well as the Youse Scholarship Program which helps caregivers with the expense of children involved in sports and other extracurricular activities. The Kinship Program also works with the Mansfield Police Department Neighborhood Impact Section assisting with the Back to School Sock and Shoe Drive, the FOP Cop N Kids shopping for back to school, the Coca-Cola Mansfield branch that helps RCCS in ensuring a bright Christmas for Kinship families, and the Lexington Ohio Farmers Market Stuff the Bus Drive that supports kinship youth with school supplies/personal hygiene items. By building these supportive resource networks, Rhonda and Arli lighten the burden on caregivers.
Pictured: Kinship Navigators Rhonda Marsh and Arlillian Nixon
