About Oregon Kinship Navigator

In the state of Oregon, approximately 30,000 kids are being raised in relative care. Oregon Kinship Navigator (OKN) aims to provide support, guidance, and resources to those families throughout their parenting journey.

OKN is housed within the Children’s Team at Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. (GOBHI). Our staff members are located throughout the state of Oregon and bring unique knowledge of both the urban and rural communities of Oregon.

What We Do

Let us help you navigate raising kids as a non-parent relative caretaker. Oregon Kinship Navigator is here to answer your emails. We offer opportunities to connect with other relative caregivers and parenting support, resource referral, and a legal resource guide.

OKN specializes in working with families both in and outside of the child welfare system.

Staff

Terry Santini
Kinship Family Navigator Specialist

My goal in life was to retire from my state job working in corrections and travel the United States with my 6-year-old granddaughter and home school her. Then I got connected with the Kinship Family Navigator program by being on the advisory board. I was blessed with the opportunity to work with GOBHI and their Grandparent program, which I’m very passionate about. I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to assist in the development of this program. So now my goals have changed as you can imagine. I have retired from the state after 23 years of service and some of my traveling has been postponed.

My granddaughter and I enjoy the outdoors. We enjoy fishing, camping, hiking, and just hanging outside. The beach is her happy place so we spend a lot of time at the coast. I also crochet and participate in craft fairs during the holiday season.

Terry has experience working in residential treatment and drug and alcohol counseling. She has served as a correctional officer, owned an adult foster care home, owned a yard maintenance business, and worked for the District Attorney’s office in Victims Assistance.

Adam Rodakowski, MSW
Adam has worked in various roles with both the Oregon Health Authority and Department of Human Services prior to leading the Oregon Kinship Navigator program. He has experience in navigating complicated systems across the state and believes strongly in supporting families by listening to their needs and building supports guided by those with lived experience. Outside of work, Adam enjoys spending time with his family and exploring the outdoors across Oregon.

Mireya Moreno Ibarra
Mireya has worked as a bilingual (Spanish) behavior interventionist in home and community settings with children aged 2-17 who experience developmental disabilities. Mireya is very passionate about helping others and enjoys assisting Latino/Hispanic families who may encounter a language barrier. She has worked with a diverse population to provide assistance with their individual needs. She is eager to connect with you!